Raheem Blackshear, Virginia Tech Football News: Draft Scout Player News

10/21/20 - RB Raheem Blackshear, rSr/2022, Virginia Tech

Blackshear's modest numbers in the 40-14 win - three carries for 33 yards with a touchdown, one catch for 9 yards - paled in comparison to the ones put by Hooker (275 total yards and four touchdowns) and Khalil Herbert (200-plus all-purpose yards), but the touchdown run was the kind of explosive play he hasn't made yet this season. "He came back (to practice) the day before the N.C. State game and was limited, hurt his hamstring and didn't practice much the next week," Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said after the game. "He's kind of found his footing." The longest play from scrimmage for Blackshear going into Saturday's game was a 14-yard run in the opener. He had four carriers go for 10 or more yards in the first two games, but none last week against North Carolina. He had seven rushes of 20 yards or more in his first two years at Rutgers and five receptions of 25 yards or more.

"He keeps working hard," Herbert said. "That was just really good run by him, I just loved to see that. He made some guys miss, broke a couple tackles, and you seen his speed on the outside." Fuente still envisions Blackshear developing into a dual threat of sorts at running back and receiver. Blackshear had a history of success at Rutgers in the multi-faceted role - as a sophomore he was named honorable mention All-Big Ten with 1,136 all-purpose yards - but during his slow start has only played a limited number of snaps in the slot receiver role. He came into Saturday's game with 31 carries for 120 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and three catches for one yard. Blackshear's teammates believe it's only a matter of time before he's able to consistently put his full skill set on display. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2022