Only a few months ago, Bhayshul Tuten was putting a bow on one of the best 2022 seasons by a running back at the FCS level, a record-breaking year for North Carolina A&T that had him setting his sights on a jump to the Power 5 level.

Elijah Brooks was finishing up his fourth season as a running backs coach for Maryland, not far from where he grew up and just down the road from DeMatha Catholic High, where he starred as a player and later as head coach before his time with the Terrapins.

Now, they’re together at Virginia Tech, where they hope to revitalize a once-proud and productive running game that’s coming off a tough season.

“You try to plan your moves and things like that,” Brooks said Tuesday, “but sometimes you’re afforded an opportunity that is unexpected and you’ve got to run with it.”

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