DAVE KNACHEL

Virginia Tech Sophomore running back David Wilson runs a 4.29 40 and can dunk a football over the goalpost — backward.

BLACKSBURG -- David Wilson's blazing speed was a huge reason why Virginia Tech's coaching staff decided to play the sophomore tailback this football season.

Obviously, Wilson does most everything in a hurry.

Take this redshirt call. Within hours after running backs coach Billy Hite informed him last Sunday that he wanted him to play instead of sit this fall, the kid already had posted his season goals inside his Tech locker.

"In high school, I started making goal sheets in 2007," said Wilson, referring to his standout career at George Washington High School, where he ran for more than 3,800 yards and 52 touchdowns his final two years.

"And this year, I made a goal sheet to hang in my locker that has some good goals on there."

Here's the list: Seven touchdowns; average 6.7 yards per carry; no fumbles; and return a kick for a touchdown.

It's a pretty stiff assignment for a guy who figures to be Tech's No. 3 ball-carrier, behind already-proven standouts Ryan Williams and Darren Evans. But Wilson is used to raising the bar.

"No fumbles, that's my biggest goal," Wilson said following Tech's practice Thursday. "I averaged 5.7 [yards per carry], so that's why I put 6.7.

"And each year, my goals list is going to be more terrific!"

Wilson's incredible athleticism -- he ran a 4.29 40 in offseason testing and can slam dunk a football over the goal post backward from a dead stop -- and his head-turning performance in preseason camp made the decision academic for Hite & Co.

"After last season, I wanted to redshirt," said Wilson, who ran for 334 yards and four TDs in 13 games in 2009. "Then, as this season came closer and I had the feeling like, 'Dang, I'm going to really be sitting out.'

"My goal wasn't to prove to the coaches that I did need to be on the field this year, but my goal was to go out and show them that they did have a very talented back. So if I did redshirt, they would know what's in the barn."

Wilson then laughed and added: "[Hite] calls us stallions, so I say we were in the barn!''

Hite informed Wilson of the decision in a sitdown that included Williams and Evans.

"[Hite] called us to the meeting room, and said, 'We have three backs and the future is now, and I want to see all of y'all move the ball," he said.

"He got it from Bud Foster, who said, 'Man, your running backs are tearing my defense up.' And we all bring something different to the table. With Darren running over people and Ryan making them dizzy and I just run past them, the defense gets confused.''

That was all Wilson needed to hear. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder said ideally he would like to get at least 10 carries a game. Of course, he figures to get touches in the passing game out of the backfield, at slot or even at wideout.

When asked if he wouldn't mind splitting out and playing wide receiver, Wilson grinned.

"Yeah, just run and catch the ball," Wilson said. "I feel like I'm more of a threat because I'm in open space already. The defense has got to use their energy to get out there, and when they get out there, they've got to stop me, so I like that."

Sounds like a guy stuck on fast-forward.

Don't believe it, name another human being who can chase down a rabbit and catch it with his bare hands. Talk about something right out of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum. Wilson pulled off the stunt last summer on the Tech Drillfield.

"Damndest thing I've ever heard of,'' Williams said this summer. "The kid is impressive, I'm telling you.''

So is the Hokies' loaded backfield.