Virginia Tech's 2026 Outlook: A Transfer-Focused Rebuild

Virginia Tech’s 2026 NFL Draft class concluded without any Hokies being selected, marking the second time in three years the program has been absent from the draft. Despite this, the future of the Virginia Tech football program is largely dependent on the impact of head coach James Franklin’s incoming transfer class.

Addressing Key Departures and Positional Needs

The team faces significant questions, particularly at the quarterback position and along the offensive line, as it prepares for the 2026 season and beyond. Several players from the 2025 roster signed undrafted free agent deals or received minicamp invites, further highlighting the need for immediate reinforcements.

Quarterback Competition

The departure of Kyron Drones, who signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, leaves a substantial void at quarterback. Drones served as Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback for three seasons.

Franklin’s transfer class offers a solution in Beau Grunkemeyer, a redshirt sophomore who started nine games for Penn State last season. Grunkemeyer threw for 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns, and notably performed well against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, completing 85% of his passes in the second half and earning an 87.9 PFF passing grade.

While Grunkemeyer is considered the frontrunner, UNC transfer Bryce Baker will also compete for the starting role. Baker led all quarterbacks with 140 passing yards during the spring game, though his performance showed a tendency to rush throws under pressure.

Offensive Line Rebuild

The offensive line also requires significant attention following the departure of Tomas Rimac, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. The unit was already lacking depth and requires a complete overhaul.

Franklin and offensive line coach Matt Moore addressed this through the transfer portal, bringing in Justin Terry (Ohio State), Justin Bell (Michigan State), Logan Howland (Oklahoma), and Michael Troutman III (Penn State). However, developing these players will take time, and the offensive line’s impact may not be fully realized until 2027 or 2028.

While the transfer additions are promising, the offensive line will need to quickly adapt to a new system and build relationships with a new quarterback. The development of this unit will be crucial for the team’s success in the coming seasons.