Last October, Virginia Tech running back P.J. Prioleau suffered a season-ending non-contact Achilles injury at Stanford. It was a tough blow to a promising player for the Hokies.
Eleven months after the injury, he was back on the field on Saturday against Wofford, and he made a big impact in Virginia Tech’s 38-6 win. After losing Bhayshul Tuten to the NFL Draft, Malachi Thomas to the Transfer Portal, and Bowling Green transfer Tyrion Stewart out injury, interim coach Philip Montgomery was looking for someone to step up against the Terriers. Prioleau did that.
Virginia Tech running back P.J. Prioleau breaks out against Wofford
Six days after firing Brent Pry as head coach after four tough years in Blacksburg, the Hokies were 0-3 entering their last non-conference matchup of the 2025 season against Wofford. The Hokies' offense clicked for one afternoon, against a much lesser opponent than they played in the first four weeks, but it got some confidence. Prioleau had one of his best games in a Virginia Tech uniform.
He carried the ball 11 times for 114 all-purpose yards in the win, but what was impressive was his speed, less than a year after suffering his injury, and that didn’t go lost by Montgomery.
“PJ's an electric back and, you know, he's coming off of an injury,’’ said Montgomery. “Really didn't get a lot of play in spring ball because of that. But [he] has really done a nice job throughout the summer and throughout the fall camp, and now as we've gotten into the season, he's a guy that's tough to tackle in space. Got a lot of space moves about him. He's shifty in that way, and he's reliable.”
Quarterback Kyron Drones threw for over 300 yards, two touchdowns, and rushed for two more, but Prioleau had a game that he and his team needed him to have. Expect him to get more carries this week as ACC play begins at North Carolina State on Saturday night. He earned it.