Transfer Spotlight – Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert
At CFB Saturdays we recognize that the landscape is always changing in College Football and the undeniable impact transfers have had on our beloved sport in recent history. Transfers have gone on to make College Football Playoff runs, win the Heisman, the National Championship, and become top NFL Draft Picks (Joe Burrow recently accomplished all of the above). Over the next few days, we will take a look at the potential impact of top Transfers in 2020 in our Transfer Spotlight Series. Today we take a look at Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert.
How it Ended in Kansas
Khalil Herbert entered the 2018 season as Kansas’ lead back. Herbert was the returning leading rusher (663 YDs, 120 CARs, 4 TDs) and more than doubled the next highest total on the team. That changed quickly, however, as explosive true freshman Pooka Williams (#12 in our rankings) quickly passed Herbert on his way to an 1,100 yard season.
Herbert did return to the team in 2019 and played in the first four games totaling 384 yards on only 43 carries (8.93 AVG). Despite the productive start to the season which included an 11 carry 187 yard performance against Boston College, Herbert opted to redshirt and preserve his final season of eligibility.
From Jayhawk to Virginia Tech RB
Herbert announced his transfer to Virginia Tech in early December. His addition was a big one for head coach Justin Fuente who needed immediate help in a struggling backfield. With the NFL Draft declaration by leading rusher DeShawn McClease, an already maligned running back room was left razor thin. The team’s next leading back was freshman Keshawn King who showed some promise but has plenty to prove at the collegiate level.
Fuente finds himself in a make or break fifth year after starting his tenure strong (10-4, 9-4) and struggling of late (6-7, 8-5). There is reason for optimism as the team closed last season with a 6-3 record and found its QB. With an answer at QB in Hendon Hooker (#23 in our Rankings) Fuente needed to add immediate talent next to Hooker at running back. The running backs were not a significant threat as the unit ranked #49 in total yards and #86 in yards per carry. Hooker and fellow QB Quincy Patterson contributed nearly 600 yards to those rankings. Without their production the Hokies may have finished even lower. Reinforcements were needed and Herbert provided exactly that.
A Look at what Khalil Herbert Brings
Khalil Herbert has adequate size (5’9” 205) and good enough speed to break big plays in the open field. His greatest strength is his patience and vision at the line of scrimmage. Herbert rarely misses the hole or a cut back crease to get to the second level. Although not the strength of his game, Herbert does break through arm tackles and has the toughness to fight for extra yardage.
The skill set is there for Herbert to be a productive college back but there are weaknesses to his game. He is a tough runner but Herbert should not be considered more than an above average tackle breaker. His receiving ability is also a concern as he was not used often out of the backfield at Kansas. This could be attributed to low usage but keep in mind that Pooka Williams has almost three times as many receptions (60) in two seasons as Herbert had in three and a quarter (23).
The Fit at Virginia Tech
Khalil Herbert is in prime position to be the lead back for the Hokies in 2020. He will be joined in the backfield by leading returning RB Keshawn King, JUCO power back Marco Lee (5’11” 225), and play making running back/receiver Raheem Blackshear. The depth in the backfield looks as good as it has in several seasons at Virginia Tech.
Hooker returns at QB with plenty of starting experience and confidence to build upon. He will have his leading receiver Tre Turner and an impressive young talent in Tayvion Robinson to throw to. Joining them is TE James Mitchell who emerged as a pass catching option in 2019. Blackshear will be used often in the passing game and is a big play threat every time he touches the ball (assuming he is granted immediate eligibility).
Up front the Hokies return five starters. The leader of the group is stud LT Christian Darrisaw (#12 in our Rankings) who is one of the best in the nation. The line also returns All-ACC honorable mention guard Lecitus Smith and a second year big time talent in guard Doug Nester.
With Herbert leading the backfield, the pieces are in place at each position for this offense to have success in 2020. Certainly the team will miss legendary coach Bud Foster but there is plenty of talent returning to continue the Hokie tradition of tenacious defense.
Fuente knows he needs to win in 2020 and has done an excellent job of adding missing pieces to the roster. Now it is time for Virginia Tech to put it all together on the field and win.
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