Virginia Tech running back room takes a hit with latest player bolting for the portal

One position that new Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin needed to try and get as much retention as he could was at running back. After there were a lot of questions entering the 2025 season, some of the answers we got were very promising.

After Bhayshul Tuten left following the 2024 season for the NFL Draft, former head coach Brent Pry was left with rebuilding the room. That's what Pry and his staff did.

They landed some key players out of last year's transfer portal in Bowling Green running back Terion Stewart and Central Missouri back Marcellous Hawkins. They joined a room that already had P.J. Prioleau and Jeremiah Coney, along with incoming freshman Jeffrey Overton, Jr.

So far, Franklin has had some success in terms of retention for next year with Overton, Jr. and Hawkins announcing that they are returning. They will be joined by incoming freshman Messiah Mickens, but they will be short one body.

Virginia Tech RB Jeremiah Coney reportedly entering the Transfer Portal

On Tuesday, it was reported that Coney is planning on entering the portal when it opens up on Friday. The sophomore back has rushed for 254 yards over three seasons in Blacksburg, but he only had eight carries for 47 yards in 2025.

The 6-foot-0, 220-pound Richmond, Virginia native finishes his Virginia Tech career with 50 carries, with his longest being a 47-yard run at Syracuse in November of 2024 in a 38-31 loss in overtime. He also had four catches out of the backfield from Kyron Drones the last three years for 17 yards. Coney averaged 5.8 yards a carry during his time with the Hokies.

Virginia Tech's running back room is already promising for 2026 with Hawkins, Overton, Jr., and Mickens, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Franklin target a back in the portal. There are going to be a lot of good players for a lot of carries next fall.