Welcome: Hampton (2014) RB Marshawn Williams commits to the Hokies

Sophomore (2014) running back from Hampton Marshawn Williams gave a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech this evening. He was in attendance for Tech's June 3rd camp and came away impressed.

"I loved it," said Marshawn. "I met all the coaches and the campus was great. I love the school."

He's a two-way player for Hampton coach Mike Smith, but the Hokies recruited him as a running back.

"I think size, speed, intensity," said Smith, who compared Williams to fast, powerful running backs of the past like Marcus Dupree and Ricky Williams. "He's a tremendous looking kid for a sophomore. ... He's quite a specimen.

"Tremendous kid. Great character. Great study habits. A real team person. You just couldn't give him enough accolades."

The Hokies were his first offer in February. Asked who else the running back considered, Smith laughed, before responding, "No one. That's been his dream. He just loved Virginia Tech.

Williams is Tech's second commit of the 2014 cycle. Defensive end Vincent Mihota committed during the spring game washout. Curt Newsome was the lead recruiter, but does anyone else feel like since Shane (and Cornell) have been brought on staff we've been more aggressive and successful recruiting? I can't remember the last time we had two commitments for a future cycle. Now that the new coaches are entrenched, is this what we can expect moving forward?

Here are his highlights.

And here are a couple of thoughts that French tweeted.

• He runs hard, doesn't really make anyone miss.
• They had him at fullback on traps.
• Reminded me a bunch of Jarrett Ferguson, minus blocking. Steady battering ram, impressive for a real young kid.

Welcome to HokieNation Marshawn!