When James Franklin was hired as football coach at Virginia Tech, he hit the ground running with recruiting. He didn't overlook the current roster he was inheriting from his former defensive coordinator, Brent Pry.
He got to watch two games to evaluate the roster and see which players he wanted to try and retain. Some players opened some eyes in their first year of the program, and one of them was freshman running back Jefrey Overton, Jr. When he signed a year ago, the coaching staff raved about him and thought that he could make an impact in 2025. Boy, were they right.
Overton Jr. dealt with injuries, but when he was healthy in the lineup, what a difference-maker he was. He played in the final four games in November for interim coach Philip Montgomery. He had 25 carries and 146 yards with one touchdown against Miami. He averaged 5.8 yards a carry. On Tuesday night, he announced that he's coming back to play under Franklin.
Virginia Tech running back Jeffrey Overton, Jr. announces he's returning to Virginia Tech in 2026
Along with Overton, Jr., Central Missouri transfer Marcellous Hawkins burst onto the scene this year, with Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart also dealing with injuries. Now Overton, Jr. is coming back to build a good running back room.
I’m Back 👽……. Let’s Go HOKIES 🦃
— Jeffrey Overton Jr (@JeffreyOverton1) December 17, 2025
READY TO GET BACK TO WORK 😤@coachjfranklin @coach_norv @Coach_Mines @HokiesFB @kolby_crawford @VTScoop247 @Coach_Elby @CoachOvertonJ pic.twitter.com/0ipcVwuaC4
Hawkins is another player who Franklin would love to retain, and if he can, what a running back room Virginia Tech will have next season. You have Overton, Jr, and incoming four-star freshman Messiah Mickens.
Franklin is going to have several Transfer Portal needs when it opens next month, including a quarterback, but right now, running back will not be a priority with Overton, Jr. and Mickens on board. There should be an official decision from Hawkins sooner or later.