If you asked Virginia Tech fans which players from the 2025 roster they’d like to see return in 2026, running back Marcellus Hawkins would be at the top of the list. In his first season at Virginia Tech, the Central Missouri transfer carried the ball 118 times for 749 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Good news: Hawkins will return for his final season.
Hawkins became the latest Hokie to announce his return via social media. Starting center Kyle Altoona also revealed that he will return in 2026. Once the Hokies hired Matt Moore as offensive line coach, it made sense for Altoona and others to stay in Blacksburg.
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Here are the latest updates on players who have announced their return:
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Redshirt freshman cornerback Joshua Clark
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Junior safety Jordan Buss
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Redshirt freshman wide receiver Chaz Wiggins
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Freshman safety Sheldon Robinson
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Freshman running back Jeffrey Overton Jr.
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Freshman cornerback Nahli Harrell
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Redshirt junior offensive lineman Brodie Meadows
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Redshirt junior running back Marcellus Hawkins
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Redshirt freshman center Kyle Altoona
New head coach James Franklin likely knows who will remain in Blacksburg, with more announcements expected before the NCAA transfer portal opens next week. Several of Franklin’s former players at Penn State have announced their intentions to enter the portal. Virginia Tech could be aggressive once the door opens, with a quarterback high on its roster.