Virginia Tech Names Grunkemeyer Starting QB Under New HC James Franklin

Virginia Tech has named transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer as its starting quarterback for the 2026 season, reuniting the signal-caller with head coach James Franklin, who took over the Hokies program this offseason. The announcement, reported Saturday, marks a notable shift in offensive identity for Virginia Tech as Franklin installs his system in Blacksburg.

Grunkemeyer previously served as a backup under Franklin at Penn State, making the pairing a familiar one for the first-year Virginia Tech head coach. Franklin's decision to turn to a quarterback he knows from his time with the Nittany Lions signals an emphasis on continuity and scheme familiarity as the program transitions under new leadership.

Filling the Void Left by Drones

Grunkemeyer inherits a starting job that had been held for three seasons by Kyron Drones, who exhausted his eligibility following the 2025 campaign. Drones, a transfer from Baylor who arrived in Blacksburg in December 2022, started 32 of 34 games he appeared in during his Hokies tenure. He completed 480 of 824 passes for 5,566 yards, 44 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while also contributing on the ground with 1,798 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.

Drones went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, but the Packers waived the 6-foot-2, 226-pound quarterback following their first preseason game on Thursday. Drones finished that outing without a completion on one attempt and was sacked three times. Green Bay retained starter Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord at the position.

With Drones now out of the picture in the NFL and his college successor named, Virginia Tech enters the 2026 season under Franklin with a clear direction at quarterback. How quickly Grunkemeyer can translate his familiarity with Franklin's offense into production for the Hokies will be among the more closely watched storylines in the ACC this fall.