Marty Gordon
A light moment came during last week’s ACC football days when a Virginia Tech running back discussed his cooking prowess. Marcellous Hawkins, who is entering his second year with the program, had the reporter room in pieces.
During a question about him listing cooking as one of his interests, he brought up his go-to.
“When it comes to fixing a meal, I think I cook the best ramen noodles. I’m real good at putting things into the microwave. That’s really all I got,” he said.
Seriously, Hawkins said he is excited to play for first-year coach James Franklin, and this year’s team is ready to go.
“Just him coming in with the excitement he has every day, just getting us to just stay excited about what we have ahead. He did a lot of great things in the past. I’m ready to get things rolling with him for the new Virginia Tech,” he said.
Hawkins had 118 carries last season before an injury ended his season with 749 yards.
Virginia Tech safety Tyson Flowers said Franklin said this season is a day-to-day process.
“It’s not something you achieve, and now we’ve won the sprint for the off-season, now we’re going to go win 12 games. I don’t think that’s how that works. I think it’s a good start. I think Coach [James] Franklin would be the first to tell you, too, this is only the beginning.”
“We still have to finish out the summer, right? That’s a day-by-day process where you have to come in every day and focus, how can I dominate in the weight room today? How can I dominate on the field today? How can I dominate in the film room today? How can I dominate on the football today? There are so many aspects of your game you have to work on,” Flowers said.
The key, according to the Hokie is a commitment every single day.
“You have to focus on what you can control. All you can control is the present moment. I think if you can focus on being as present as possible, I think the rest of the things later on in the season things will fall into place. I think that’s just a battle to stay present and to win every single day.”
Flowers said there is a lot of excitement that the fans and supporters, everyone around Blacksburg has for Virginia Tech.
“That makes you feel so good. It makes it feel like home, even when you’re so far away. The acceptance you get from the supporter here at Tech is unparalleled. It’s what makes Virginia Tech unique. I’ve loved my time here and I wouldn’t trade it for the world either,” he said.
Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kemari Copeland came to the podium and said Franklin has really challenged this roster.
“He’s challenged us on the details. Every day he’s harping on the details, winter workouts, touching cones, spring ball. He’s been harping us on details. That’s how you win games. If we all lock in and do details in the game, that’s how you win games. That’s how you lose games, too. He’s been harping on us on that,” Copeland said.
As he looks back at past year, he said there were a lot of things last year he left on the table, especially with the area of pass-rush.
“There were some games I was running down the middle of a guy, not working a move. I felt like there were a lot of things I left on the table. Last year we ran more of a three-down defense. This year, a four-down. Things of that nature. I think I can show a lot more to the scouts,” he said.
Virginia Tech opens the season on Sept. 5 against VMI.
