Virginia Tech running back Deshawn McClease has received a medical redshirt for the 2016 season, as first reported by Evan Watkins of 247Sports, and confirmed by a Virginia Tech Athletics spokesman. McClease will now be listed on the Hokies' roster as a redshirt sophomore for the 2018 season.
The 5-foot-9, 197-pound running back out of Chesapeake, Va. has been with the Virginia Tech football team since 2015. He redshirted during his first year with the program before beginning to see action in 2016.
McClease played in one game in the 2016 season, rushing for 27 yards in the season opener against Liberty before being sidelined for the rest of the 2016 campaign with an injury.
In 2017, McClease saw action in 12 games, including one start. He rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown against West Virginia in the season opener. He recorded a career-high 124 yards against Oklahoma State in the 2017 Camping World Bowl.
Overall, McClease rushed for 530 yards and three touchdowns during the 2017 season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry while also catching nine passes for 66 yards.
Receiving the medical redshirt for the 2016 season means McClease will have the option to request a sixth year of eligibility, giving him two more years with the Hokies after the 2018 season.
McClease is expected to compete for the starting running back job in 2018. He and Steven Peoples are the most experienced of the seven running backs on the Hokies’ roster.
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