Picture yourself as Kevin Jones. You are thrown into the lineup as a true freshman after the starting running back goes down with an injury and all you do is run your way to the Big East Rookie-of-the-Year award.

A year later, you want to start, but end up playing a substantial backup role. You struggle dealing with the situation, so much so that Billy Hite, running backs and associate head coach, says you become a non-factor after pulling your hamstring in the eighth game of the season. Your coach believes you disregarded your reserve position for a chance to start the following season.

Now, you head into the 2003 season season, knowing that last year's starter, Lee Suggs, has graduated and you are finally the running back.

Welcome to Kevin Jones' world. And for a Virginia Tech team loaded enough to make a run at the national title, it's Jones who may be the biggest key. A preseason all-american by several publications as well as a Heisman contender, Jones is the player who makes the Hokies' offense run. That is, assuming he's hungry enough.

Knight's Tale

Derrick Knight does not possess the prototypical size of a Division I-A running back or the flash of a back like Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones. Listed at 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, some doubted his abilities to lead Boston College's rush heavy offense last season. "With William Green opting for the NFL," Sports Illustrated's College Football Preview 2002 said. "The Eagles' four-year streak of 1,000-yard rushers will end." Apparently prototypes are not for everybody. After rushing for a combined 572 yards in his freshman and sophomore seasons, Knight emerged out of Green's shadow last year to prove doubters incorrect by continuing Boston's College's five-year streak of 1,000-yard rushers by amassing 1,432 yards on the ground. Head coach Tom O'Brien admits that everybody wants the William Green, 6-foot, 235 pound-type back, but feels what sets Knight apart is his vision. In addition, Knight feels he runs between the tackles well, hides behind blockers, and can lower the shoulder to grind out extra yards. In addition to groundwork, Knight can hurt you through the passing game. Last season, he finished with 37 receptions for 372 yards. "The passing game means a lot to me," Knight said. "It gives me another chance to help out the offense. When I came to Boston College I could catch, but (the offense) made me add another dimension and not be a decoy." O'Brien would like to see Knight continue Boston College's streak of 1,000 yard rushers this season, but also wants to keep him healthy. Regardless, Knight is a senior, meaning only 12 more games are guaranteed. "I want to go out there and help my team win some games," Knight said. "We lost some games in the clutch. We want to win the tight ones we lost last year." -- Elliott A. Wiley, Jr.

"Last year Kevin fell into a role player for us," Hite said. "I think he gave into it, which was a little disappointing to me."

This year, Jones is doing all the right things. He says anything less than a national championship is a disappointment. While re-adjusting to the spotlight he received freshman year, Jones has the lofty personal goal of rushing for over 2,000 yards this season with anything under 1,500 yards being a disappointment.

"He's a special talented athlete," Hite said. "When it's all said and done I'm not sure he can't be the best running back ever at Virginia Tech. In a great, great year he could go for 2,000. We have been known over the years to run the football."

Although Jones is a year removed from the starting tailback position, he says he acts like the job has been his the whole time.

Describing himself as a, "fast and explosive, but somewhat agile back," last season Jones rushed for 871 yards, while sharing time with Suggs. Although Jones ended up with a productive season, falling back to the second option did not sit well with him.

"I just prayed and had to deal with it," Jones said. "I knew Lee was a good running back. I felt like they owed it to him because he did a lot for the program. Last year I didn't do that much because I wasn't in the rhythm of my game. I wasn't trusting the things I know like hitting the right holes."

To prepare for his return to the featured back role, he returned to his track roots this offseason. His times in the 100- and 200-meter races in high school were of national merit and he returned home to Chester, Pa., during the first session of summer school to improve on his speed by working with his father on the track.

"His dad is into lifting, speed, and speed training," Hite said. "I felt very comfortable with (Kevin) being home because I can tell you his dad works him hard."

In addition to speed work, Jones also spent time watching game film to learn how the offensive line blocks during certain plays.

"If you know what everybody else is doing on the field, you become a smarter player," Jones said quoting Marshall Faulk.

While Jones terrorizes defenses with his speed and athletic ability, running between the tackles and his receiving skills are two aspects of his game that can be improved this season.

Jones pits himself as a general runner who just runs outside because of his success doing so. Hokie center and preseason All-American Jake Grove believes that Jones can use his speed and quickness to be an effective rusher in between the tackles.

"Make a little hole for Kevin and he can go," Grove said. "Look for Kevin to do more power rushing. Last year he was successful in the middle, but didn't do it as much as he should."

Still, for all his success running the ball, watch for him to catch the ball more this season. Jones has been working on his receiving skills by catching 100 balls a day. It can only help as defenses will know where No. 25 is on every play. With QB questions and lack of depth at the wideout position, Jones is a marked man in the Hokies' offense.

And that's fine with Jones. Last season, he removed himself from the mix. This year, Jones is out to prove all the preseason hype isn't just hype.

"My expectations are high for him," Hite said. "I really believe a lot of the success of the football team depends of how he plays this year. That puts a lot of pressure on Kevin by saying that. I think he likes it though, that's the kind of player he is."

Elliott A. Wiley, Jr. can be reached at Elliott.A.Wiley.-ND@espn3.com