Virginia Tech Football 2024 Positional Breakdown: Running Backs

Last season, there were a number of reasons for Virginia Tech's turnaround entering ACC play when the Hokies went from 1-3 to 6-6 to become bowl-eligible. The defense got better, the offense began to click under quarterback Kyron Drones, and all of a sudden, the running game took off.

Drones had a lot to do with that, however, Bhayshul Tuten started running the ball better and Malachi Thomas became a threat out of the backfield running and throwing the ball in wrinkles in offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen's offense. This season the running game is going to be big with Tuten coming back with Thomas and the potential emergence of some of the younger backs. Continuing with our preseason positional look for Virginia Tech, let's look at the running back room.

Virginia Tech Running Back Position Breakdown

Bhayshul Tuten

The biggest name of this group without a doubt is Tuten. After transferring in from North Carolina A&T last season, he rushed for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the Military Bowl win over Tulane in December, he rushed for 136 yards on 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns. He is a shifty runner that is tough to bring down on initial contact and just as good as he is as a running back, he's was huge returning kick-offs last season returning kicks for touchdowns against Florida State and Virginia.

Malachi Thomas

Last season Thomas had 83 carries for 381 yards which averaged out to a very servicable 4.6 yards a carry. He scored two touchdowns, one each in two late-season road wins over Boston College and Virginia to help the Hokies to .500 on the season. Against Syracuse, he had a first-quarter touchdown pass of 16 yards to Da'Quan Felton and he finished that game with 13 carries and 87 yards on the ground in a key 38-10 victory. Look for him to be a key part of the backfield this season.

P.J. Prioleau

One of the players that stood out in the Spring Game last April was P.J. Prioleau running the ball. He caught a touchdown pass from Drones and then ran for another with impressive speed to get around the edge and run away from the defenders. With a good camp, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get some reps this season after playing 12 games last season on special teams.

Jeremiah Coney

Another young running back in the Spring Game that stood out was Jeremiah Coney. He rushed for 81 yards in the game and showed a very good burst of speed. Last season he got 10 carries for 28 yards and returns with the most experience of all the young backs who are creating a deep running back room this season.

Freshman Tyler Mason is also in the mix and creates a good position battle in camp. Overall, this is a deeper position than a lot of people thought with the retainment of Tuten and Thomas being versatile. The running game will be big for the Hokies this season.