The Virginia Tech Hokies have a quarterback to be excited about in 2026. That’s not meant to disparage Kyron Drones or any of the other signal callers in Blacksburg over the last several years. Some quarterbacks simply weren’t set up to succeed, whether it was coaching, schematic issues, or a struggling offensive line.
When VT hired James Franklin as head coach in November, landing a quarterback in the transfer portal was the key to success in 2026.
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There’s no doubt that Franklin’s top target was Ethan Grunkemeyer, his former QB at Penn State. Franklin recruited Grunkemeyer out of Lewis Center, Ohio, in 2024. It didn’t take long for the Hokies to land Grunkemeyer. Franklin also landed a top 2025 recruit, Bryce Baker, who spent his freshman year at North Carolina.
While Franklin says all the right things about competition, Grunkemeyer didn’t come to Virginia Tech to sit. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound redshirt freshman was forced into action for the Nittany Lions after Franklin was fired last season. He acquitted himself nicely. Grunkemeyer would appear in 11 games last season, making seven starts and going 4-3. He completed 69% of his passes for 1,339 yards, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
Billy Tucker of ESPN recently named the top 100 newcomers to college football in 2026. The newcomers could be true freshmen or players out of the transfer portal. Grunkemeyer came in at No. 37.
Need: Grunkemeyer gives Virginia Tech something it has lacked in recent seasons: stability at quarterback. James Franklin knows Grunkemeyer well after recruiting and coaching him at Penn State, where the Under Armour All-American gained valuable experience when Drew Allar sat out time in 2025. After years of inconsistent quarterback play in Blacksburg, he arrives as a steadying presence for a retooled offense.
Value: Grunkemeyer completed 69% of his passes with eight touchdowns and showed steady growth against Power 4 competition. He closed the season with two of his highest-graded performances against Nebraska and Rutgers, showing improved timing and decision-making. Though he might not possess elite upside, he brings efficiency, accuracy, and experience in structured passing concepts. With additional portal help around him, including tight end Luke Reynolds, and competition from Bryce Baker and SC Next 300 quarterback Troy Huhn, Grunkemeyer projects as a dependable, turnover-conscious quarterback capable of stabilizing the offense.
The Hokies turned over a significant portion of their roster. Franklin retained many of Virginia Tech’s top players, such as running back Marcellous Hawkins, tight end Benji Gosnell and wide receiver Ayden Greene. When you add in some of the newcomers at skill positions, such as WR Que’Sean Brown, Grunkemeyer is positioned to succeed immediately.
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The offensive line should take a significant step forward, too. The Hokies will also run the ball. You should buy stock in Grunkemeyer.
