Going into the 2026 season, there is nobody with a bigger chip on their shoulder for the Virginia Tech football team than James Franklin. After being fired from Penn State, Franklin landed on his feet in Blacksburg. Truth be told, he isn't the only one with a chip on their shoulder this fall.
Honestly, there should be a lot of Hokies with a huge chip on their shoulder, but one player, running back Marcellous Hawkins, will have one and have it for good reason.
"I didn't have a big name coming into Power 4 football,'' said Hawkins. "I always had that chip on my shoulder, knowing I had to go put in the work. I couldn't leave no time wasted."
Nobody can blame Hawkins for having a chip on his shoulder. The Oklahoma City native was looking for a shot at Power 4 schools, and Brent Pry gave him that shot. He has taken that opportunity an ran with it, literally.
Virginia Tech RB Marcellous Hawkins enters 2026 with a chip on his shoulder
Coming out of Central Missouri last year, Hawkins landed in Blacksburg and rushed for 749 yards, one touchdown on 118 carries. He scored his touchdown in a loss at home to Wake Forest last October, but his best game was in the Hokies' overtime win at home over California with 167 yards on 21 carries. He also eclipsed 100 yards at Florida State in a November loss.
When Franklin was hired and brought back Pry, it was a no-brainer if Pry suggested bringing back Hawkins, as Franklin mentioned that he used Pry's input to see who needed to be retained. Also coming back is freshman Jeffrey Overton, Jr., which is a very good beginning for Franklin and new offensive coordinator Ty Howle.
It's safe to say that several members of the Hokies program are playing with a chip on their shoulder this season, and if he can stay healthy, Hawkins could flirt with being a 1,000-yard rusher. If that ends up being the case, then it adds another dimension to the Virginia Tech offense that opposing teams will have to prepare for.
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