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Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert received quite the honor on Tuesday, receiving and accepting an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Welcome RB Khalil Herbert (@JuiceHerbert) from @HokiesFB to the @Reeses Senior Bowl!!!
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) December 8, 2020
#GoHokies #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE #BestOfTheBest@JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/I4yHLBM73a
The Senior Bowl is the premier showcase for NFL draft hopefuls held in January at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
This comes one day after Herbert received an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl. However, due to COVID-19, the East-West Shrine Bowl is canceled and Herbert will participate in only the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
There isn’t a player more deserving of this honor than Herbert.
Herbert spent four years at Kansas, where he rushed for 1,735 yards and four touchdowns on some really bad teams. With one year of eligibility remaining, Herbert transferred to Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer.
In 2020, Herbert quickly became Virginia Tech’s top offensive skill player. In his debut against N.C. State back in September, Herbert was unstoppable, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts.
He kept on having big games, rushing for over 200 yards the following week in a win at Duke. He went over 100 yards in his first four games with the Hokies.
It wasn’t until a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff against Liberty that Herbert slowed down. Outside of the opening kick, Herbert did not play in the game. He was also slowed in the following games against Miami and Pittsburgh. Fully healthy, Herbert ran for 96 yards and a score against Clemson’s loaded defensive line last week.
Herbert has been the ACC’s top running back this season, yes that includes Clemson’s Travis Etienne. He’s been outstanding as a runner, a kick returner and helped out in the passing game, too.
Despite missing some time, Herbert has rushed for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt.
Herbert was always deserving of the Senior Bowl invite, but his performance against Clemson surely opened the eyes of NFL talent evaluators.
In his one year at Virginia Tech, Herbert has shown he can play at the next level.