Running back Bryce Duke plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens in a few days, he confirmed Thursday, the second Hokies player to form those plans this week.
[Editor’s note: Duke announced the next day, Dec. 1, that he will transfer.]
Thank you, VT. 🦃 pic.twitter.com/xtXZDcN6pB
— DUKE ⁴ (@Bryceduke22) December 1, 2023
Duke, a 5-foot-10, 202-pounder who just finished his sophomore season, joins tight end Dae’Quan Wright with intentions of being portal-bound. Players can officially enter on Dec. 4.
A 2022 signee out of Leesburg who originally committed to Justin Fuente’s staff, Duke played in 11 games each of the last two seasons, running 29 times for 128 yards (4.4 ypc). He also caught five passes for 48 yards, scoring a touchdown on a wheel route against Wofford in 2022.
Duke found himself down the pecking order of running backs, however. Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas formed a 1-2 punch for the Hokies. Both can come back next season.
Duke and Chance Black were next on the depth chart, though Tech’s coaches had high praise for freshman Jeremiah Coney, who was set back by a wrist injury early in the season but returned to get late carries against Syracuse and Boston College.
Tech also redshirted 2023 signee Tralon Mitchell and has three-star Tyler Mason out of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, committed in the 2024 class.
Print
What this likelymeans is thatUten and Thomas plan to return next year which would mean Duke would be no higher in the pcking order than he is now. As he has only 2 years of elgibility left,he would only have 1 year in which he could reasonbly expect to compete for the top spot, barring injury to eitherTuiten of Thomas. In the meantime, Pry et all will no doubt be in full recruitng mode for RB’s over the next 2-cycles, if they aren’t already and esp. looking for one in the portal. Duke must surely know what his chances are and for sure, he wants to play, somewhere. JMU or Liberty would be good in-state landing pads for him. Whatever else, Duke has had 2 years to crack the log jam. Sad because I have heard good reports about him. .
Sorry to see him go, I liked watching him play. Tough runner, can catch out of the backfield. But it’s a crowded room and he wants to play; don’t blame him. Wish him the best.
Know the family. Great family and a really good kid. Really hope he lands somewhere he can be a feature back – just sorry it didn’t pan out at VT. The coaching staff is letting a good one go.
Coaching staff is “letting go” of him…he’s choosing this himself.
lol
naynay136 since you know the family, would he consider Tight End where there is less of a player jam?
I think he will be successful
I always liked his running style. Best of luck to Bryce.
I knew an RB would leave, I just thought it would be Chance Black
Wouldn’t surprise me if he goes too. Feels like VT has been angling to switch his position since Pry got here.
At least he has the transfer portal as an option – in my day you tried to improve yourself by practicing harder, hoped the coaches noticed, and waited for the injury bug to bite!
Wish him well!! Wanted to be a Hokie but just not talented enough to lead the field.
Best wishes on finding his niche – tough to face truth about self compared to competition.
Curious where he ends up. 🔝
Met his Dad at a tailgate. He was upset about Duke’s playing time. Knew then he would probably transfer. I wish the best for him.
I get it, I liked Duke, but Tuten is a monster. No way he should take snaps from Tuten.
Good luck to him
Makes sense. Wish him the best. Just hate to lose a NOVA recruit.
I’m ruetun for for the kid. Hope a power 5 picks him up.
I think all these guys like Duke should spend all their time working on being a slot receiver which looks like the future in the multiple-offenses.
Crowded room, wish him the best of luck
VT will also get another legit running back from the portal.
Bummer. Good kid and good athlete. He’ll do well wherever he lands. Maybe at Duke or Rutgers, both of which I believe initially offered him.