Built in a lab: Virginia Tech coaches thrilled about RB Marcellous Hawkins
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Construction crews are diligently working on expanding the footprint of the Merryman Center this summer. And, if James Franklin had his way, the updated design would include a laboratory that could replicate tailback Marcellous Hawkins.
"If you're going to have a Frankenstein lab at the bottom of the Merryman building and build a running back, that's how the running back's supposed to look," Franklin said of Hawkins last Thursday.
That's mighty high praise for a tailback who was limited in the spring while recovering from offseason surgery and didn't get a chance to show new running backs coach Norval McKenzie what he could bring to the offense.
Franklin and McKenzie initially assessed Hawkins based off his film in Philip Montgomery's offseason last season. Their perception changed once he joined the running backs during summer workouts. Franklin was impressed by Hawkins' quickness and balance, and he added that McKenzie felt Hawkins "looks different."
The summer workouts were a culmination of Hawkins' work off the field that paid off with him solidifying himself as one of the top two tailbacks on the roster heading into training camp.
"It was really important. I knew that it wasn't just going to be given to me. I knew I couldn't just sit down and wait until I'm 100% healed," Hawkins said. "I knew that I had to still put in the work. I knew I had to still make sure my body was right so whenever it was my time to go out there and show the little things that I could do, at the time, I was showing my best."
Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins speaks during the ACC football media days on Thursday in Charlotte, N.C.
Hawkins' return gives the Hokies a clear 1-2 punch with him and second-year tailback Jeffrey Overton Jr. Hawkins tallied 749 yards in 11 games while Overton emerged late in the season with 146 yards in four games.
They are expected to be featured heavily in Virginia Tech's offense. McKenzie prefers to rotate two running backs and add a third tailback for eight to 12 snaps per game.
"If you have two guys who can go out there and get it done for you, then you probably could lean on those two guys," McKenzie said in June. "I have in the past played multiple guys and feel comfortable doing that."
Both Franklin and McKenzie got to see Hawkins in person last season when he led the Hokies in rushing yards. Franklin saw Hawkins rush for 72 against Miami and McKenzie tried to sneak a glimpse of Hawkins picking up 82 yards at Georgia Tech.
Hawkins was dealing with an undisclosed injury in both of those games. He wore a brace on his right wrist when he talked with reporters after games, and he underwent a procedure before winter workouts.
"I had a few little things I was dealing with probably super early in the season that I just had to play through," Hawkins explained. "Just loving the game so much, I didn't want to stop.
"It all healed up super quickly," Hawkins added. "My body was feeling back great. I could have probably came in and played that spring game. Honestly, I was back ready."
Franklin added that Hawkins was receptive on changing his body during the summer. Franklin said Hawkins was close to 230 pounds, so he asked the tailback if he wanted to weigh 200 pounds and run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash or stay at 230 and run a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.
Hawkins was back to 220 pounds within a matter of weeks.
"I didn't get to see anything in winter workouts. I didn't get to see anything during spring ball. All the stuff I know is he physically looks the part, the guy is a ball of energy, always got a smile on his face, is super appreciative," Franklin said. "The guys were fighting for him to be on the leadership council, but it was hard for us to put him on the leadership council because as coaches we hadn't seen him do anything. Even in the weight room, he can only do one arm.
"Since coming back, he's been phenomenal. He's done a great job in the weight room. I know Chuck Losey's very, very pleased with him."
Hawkins' soft-spoken nature isn't one normally associated with being on a leadership council. He added he has grown since arriving at Virginia Tech and enters the season as the veteran in a running back room that includes Overton, Louisiana transfer Bill Davis, Tyler Mason and Messiah Mickens.
"I would say my leadership skills," Hawkins said of his growth. "Just leading by example, showing all the young guys how it's supposed to be done."
Hawkins is entering his second season at Virginia Tech after transferring from Division II Central Missouri. He totaled 22 rushing touchdowns in 18 games over his three seasons at Central Missouri. He had a combined four rushing touchdowns in injury-shortened seasons in 2022 and 2024, and he tallied 18 rushing touchdowns to go with 1,053 yards in 2023.
Hawkins had a team-high 58 rushing yards in the Hokies' 2025 opener against South Carolina. He added 100-yard performances against California (167) and Florida State (101) in leading the team with 749 rushing yards. For all the success he enjoyed on the ground, he only found the end zone twice with a rushing score against Wake Forest and a touchdown reception at North Carolina State.
Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins has recovered from offseason surgery and is projected to be one of the Hokies' top two tailbacks in James Franklin's first season.
"Honestly, just like I always say, you've got to control what you can control. You can't harp on it," Hawkins said. "Thinking too hard on it can mess up your day tomorrow. I don't really like to think what could have happened. All I can do is control what I can control."
Hawkins is embracing his role for the upcoming season. He isn't focused on the campaign being his last in college after the NCAA's new "five-for-five" rule was passed, but instead realizing he needs to have fun while playing the game.
Having Franklin and McKenzie in his corner doesn't hurt.
"You've got to have fun with what you do, what you love," Hawkins said. "Drake said it in one of his songs, 'The moment I stop having fun with it, I'll be done with it.' You've got to be having fun with the thing you love. You've got to be having fun with what you're doing every day. Or else why are you doing it?"
Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124
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