Virginia Tech Preseason Talk: Running Backs

Virginia Tech running backs coach Elijah Brooks returns his top two players. (Jon Fleming)

Virginia Tech has four scholarship tailbacks, plus several walk-ons, which includes P.J. Prioleau. The Radford native was getting reps ahead of two scholarship running backs on the first day of practice this fall, though it’s unknown whether that will remain the same once the season begins. Here’s a look at the top five:

Bhayshul Tuten: 5-11, 209, Sr.
Malachi Thomas: 6-0, 215, r-Jr.
P.J. Prioleau: 5-11, 180, r-Jr.
Jeremiah Coney: 6-0, 200, r-Fr.
Tyler Mason: 6-0, 198, Fr.

With Prioleau making progress and adding some decent weight, hopefully that means that Mason can redshirt. He’s making the transition up from the lowest classification level in North Carolina, so there will certainly be an adjustment period as he adapts to the speed and strength of ACC players.

That’s a minor topic, though. Let’s get to the major storylines. Virginia Tech returns a couple of veterans at tailback. Here are their career FBS numbers:

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