Virginia Tech Running Back Entering the Transfer Portal

One year after having a quiet transfer portal in terms of retainment, it is going to be a different story in 2024 it appears for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry. Last week the news started to leak out that some depth players were going to enter the portal and on Monday, bigger names and key players hit the portal.

It started on defense with cornerback Jalen Stroman, who missed the 2024 campaign after suffering a collarbone injury in the season-opener against Vanderbilt, and linebacker Keli Lawson. Then starting offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin announced he was also going to enter for next season. Now, the Hokies are losing a running back.

Malachi Thomas is entering the transfer portal

Running back Malachi Thomas, who saw a huge dip in his carries in 2024, is entering the portal, and the Hartwell, Georgia native has one year of eligibility remaining. This season Thomas once again was behind Bhayshul Tuten and had just 42 carries for 160 yards and one touchdown. His best game was at Syracuse on Nov. 2 when Tuten was out with an injury and he had 73 yards rushing and a touchdown. 

In 2023, Thomas had 83 carries for 381 yards and a touchdown, but his best season was in 2021 when he had 440 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries. This season he suffered an injury against Syracuse and had not played since.

This will leave Virginia Tech will two holes to fill in the running back room, likely, with Thomas and Tuten. Jeremiah Coney and P.J. Prioleau are promising young backs and incoming freshman Jeff Overton who Brent Pry and Fontel Mines think can contribute as soon as next season. Regardless, adding a running back through the portal is something the Hokies will need to do, among other things.