With today being the final day to enter the transfer portal in this first window, schools across the country are seeing new entries today. That includes Virginia Tech as veteran RB Keshawn King has entered the transfer portal as first reported by ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.
Virginia Tech running back Keshawn King is in the transfer portal.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 18, 2023
King ran for 443 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.
Thank you all, its been an amazing ride. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wPcfXr8ryo
— Keshawn King (@keshawnk25) January 18, 2023
During his four seasons at Virginia Tech, King had 900 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns averaging 4.9 yards per carry plus 31 catches for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns, and 28 kick returns for 655 yards averaging 23.4 yards per return. His 2022 season was the best of his collegiate career with 74 carries for a career-high 443 yards and 3 touchdowns plus an average of 6.0 yards per carry. He also had 20 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown in 2022.
King was productive as RB1 at times this past season though his struggles were largely on offensive line struggles. However, Malachi Thomas retained his RB1 role in the few times he was healthy and played like the best back for VT this past season. Combine that with the addition of FCS All-American Bhayshul Tuten and King seemed likely to be RB3 this upcoming season making a transfer out understandable given his talent.
There's no doubt in my mind that King will have plenty of options at the Group of 5 level along with likely having something Power 5 opportunities as someone who could definitely be a G5 starter and likely could start for a few P5 schools or at least be a top 2 RB for at a good amount of P5 programs.
There's no doubt that losing King is disappointing but the addition if Tuten definitely nullifies the impact of it on the 2023 Virginia Tech offense. His departure does create space for Bryce Duke or Chance Black to take hold of the RB3 job.
