Top 3 running backs Virginia Tech will face in 2024
By Scott Roche
The Virginia Tech football team added some key pieces from the transfer portal this offseason to a defense that had a lot of retainment from the 2023 season. Along the defensive line, the Hokies have Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Josh Fuga returning, while transfers Aeneas Peebles from Duke, Kelvin Gilliam from Oklahoma, Khurtiss Perry from Alabama, and Kemari Copeland from Iowa Western Community College all transferred and supply a ton of depth.
Virginia Tech is going to need all of that depth as they will face some of the top running backs in 2024 in college football. Here are the three top running backs the Hokies will face in the fall.
Top 3 running backs Virginia Tech will face in 2024
ACC. . . Damien Martinez. 834. . . Damien Martinez. 1. player
Miami coach Mario Cristobal was very active in the transfer portal this off-season following a disappointing 2023 season and one of the key pieces added was Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez. Last season for the Beavers, Martinez ran almost 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. What makes him tough to defend is that he broke 57 tackles last season and amassed 744 yards after that. He will fill the shoes of Henry Parrish who transferred to Ole Miss.
Kyle Monangai. player. . . ACC. Kyle Monangai. 2. . . 452
This season, Rutgers comes to Blacksburg after they beat the Hokies, 35-16, last season at home, and the Scarlet Knights have fifth-year running back Kyle Monangai coming to Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech got a first-hand look at him last season when he gashed Tech's defense for 143 yards on 16 carries and a season-high three touchdowns. He will certainly pose a huge test for the Hokies defensive line. This is a huge game on the schedule for both teams who many feel will be dark horses in their respective conferences.
. . ACC. . Phil Mafah. . 432. Phil Mafah. 3. player
The biggest ACC home game in 2024 for the Hokies is on Nov. 9 when Dabo Swinney brings his Clemson Tigers to town, looking to rebound for a 4-4 record last fall in the ACC. Gone is Will Shipley who is in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, but back is Phil Mafah and he's ready to cause problems for defensive lines. Last season for the Tigers, Mafah rushed for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns, while averaging 5.4 yards a game. There could be a lot on the line for both teams in early November and stopping Mafah will go a long way into the Hokies having success at home.
Virginia Tech's defense is going to be good, but they are going to be tested a lot and these three backs are talented enough to cause problems for Chris Marve and his defense. A lot of game planning will be needed to contain this trio in 2024.
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