We are less than three weeks from the James Franklin era beginning at Virginia Tech on Sept. 5 when the Hokies host VMI under the lights. As the season inches closer and closer, preseason watch lists are beginning to be dropped and on Tuesday, one Virginia Tech running back was named to a list.
Second-year running back Marcellous Hawkins was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which is given out annually to the nations premier running back. After a very good first season in Blacksburg in 2025, he is back under Franklin and new offensive coordinator Ty Howle ready to breakout and improve his draft stock this fall.
Marcellous Hawkins has been named to the @DoakWalkerAward Watch List!
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) August 18, 2026
The Doak Walker Award honors the nation’s premier running back.#LetsGoHokies pic.twitter.com/I3MR3CWTCZ
Marcellous Hawkins poised for a breakout in 2026
Last fall in what a frustrating season for Virginia Tech, Hawkins, who landed in Blacksburg through the Transfer Portal from Central Missouri, had 749 yards on the ground on 118 carries and one touchdown against Wake Forest at home in early October. His best game came in an overtime win over California at home in late October when he racked up 167 yards on 21 carries, averaging 8 yards a carry.
Returning under Franklin was a no-brainer for Hawkins, who missed the regular season final at Virginia with an injury. New running backs coach Norval McKenzie will certainly help Hawkins take the next step. The 5-foot-10 Oklahoma native is quick and tough to bring down. He can be effective inside the tackles, but also has the speed to break a big run on the outside.
If Virginia Tech can figure things out along the offensive line under Matt Moore and Franklin, then the running game will be a key part of the Hokies offense. Hawkins certainly is the featured back going into the 2026 season, but there are some key players added through the portal and with the incoming freshman class. Let's not overlook Jeffrey Overton, Jr. who is returning after showing flashes late in the season as a freshman as a key back.
Hawkins has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher this season if he stays healthy and the offensive line can figure things out. If that happens, he'll be a name that is thrown around when it comes to some of the top running backs in the country, proving he deserved to be on this watch list.
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