Virginia Tech Veteran Running Backs are no Stranger to Competition

Editor's Note: This is Will's last piece for TKP. I had hoped he'd stay onboard throughout his tenure at Tech, but he's pursuing a great opportunity to become EMT certified this summer and plans to work with VT Rescue in the fall.

Building a successful football team is a result of the proper amount of pressure and competition.

Even when J.C. Coleman hoisted the Military Bowl MVP trophy after rushing for a season-high 157 yards, and propelled the Hokies to a 33-17 victory over the favored Cincinnati Bearcats, there were no guarantees he'd return as Tech's featured back after salvaging a late-season run without the assistance of a pair of ailing freshmen tailbacks.

The reality of personnel variability has kept the senior motivated through a spring which saw the resurgence of Trey Edmunds and the emergence of youngster Travon McMillian — both of whom rushed for scores in Tech's annual spring game Saturday.

A crowded backfield, however, is something Coleman has grown accustomed to over the course of a career that's been feast or famine.

"It's always been a crowded backfield for us," Coleman said. "I wouldn't say it's any different than in years past."

The oft-forgotten Chesapeake, Virginia, native makes up for what he lacks in size with heart and mental toughness.

"I would say I'm really reliable. I'm not always the best guy out there or the strongest guy or the biggest guy but I always know my role, know what to do, know what's about to happen and the coaches love that," Coleman said. "I'm a guy that can go out there and do his job and know all of his assignments. I don't think I had a mental error all spring."

As a veteran, Coleman has also taken on the role of bringing up the young talent within his position group.

"I try to challenge those guys every day to go out there and give it their best," Coleman said. "Nothing's solidified out there. I want to get those guys to do their best every day."

Trey Edmunds breaks two tackles on a hard run for a touchdown.

Like Coleman, the path of Edmunds' career has been a winding road.

From a broken leg suffered in the Hokies' 2013 regular season finale to incurring a fractured clavicle against North Carolina last season, the Danville product has found a renewed sense of strength and a resolve for the future.

"I've been feeling really good physical-wise and health-wise and things like that," Edmunds said. "It's forward from here. I hope to improve on my new skills and rehab and keep everything strong and healthy.
"I feel myself again. I'm not having to worry about little bruises and things like that. I'm just going out there and playing football. That's what it's all about so I'm definitely happy to be here."

Edmunds brief-but-shining body of work in the spring game resulted in a team-high 21 yards on three carries, including the touchdown which gave Team Pylon its largest lead of the game.

"It's been awhile since I've been there," Edmunds optimistically joked after reflecting on the span since his last live touchdown. "It's definitely a place I want to make myself at home again."

Edmunds didn't score in 2014 after finding paydirt 10 times in his debut season. The redshirt junior has felt the glory of being the Hokies' rushing leader, and understands how quickly it can be taken away.

"I feel like every year I've been here has been competitive," Edmunds said. "You have to bring your A-game every day of the week and there's not days off. Even the days we don't have practice, coach wants to see who's watching film. It's definitely been a competition but if you want to be the best you have to go through competition. Every one of us feels like that. We just want to have fun and make plays for our team."

Edmunds feels that the time off provided a chance to improve in areas not related to his key assets.

"I've been trying to improve on reading the holes," Edmunds said. "I sat out most of last year so I had time to sit back and watch. My first year I knew a little bit about it but I didn't really know it like I needed to."

With many talented backs, Edmunds suggests that each one can do something different.

"Each of us has our own skill set," Edmunds said. "I'm more of a speed and power-type guy combined. I feel like each and every one of the backs has a certain technique or certain asset that they put in their game to make something good."

The competition is one that's welcome by the position group's most tenured veteran.

"We have a really good thing going," Coleman said. "We've been able to run the ball on our defense and that's a tough defense to run on — a very tough defense.

"I feel like the sky's the limit. We're going to get better and better as we get older and more experienced."