Everything We Know About Virginia Tech's Quarterback Competition So Far
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BLACKSBURG, Va. — Replacing a three-year quarterback starter is never simple, but Virginia Tech has entered fall camp with the quarterback "competition" revolving primarily around the backup spots, where Keldan Ryan, Troy Huhn and Bryce Baker are battling it out for the second-string position.
Here's everything we know so far.
The starting job is still open, technically.
James Franklin has made it clear through multiple media availabilities that no quarterback has been named the starter, but he has said that the team knows who the starter is. He stated that when there's a clear starter, the team knows.
Rather than rushing to an official decision, Franklin has emphasized consistency, decision-making, and limiting mistakes as the coaching staff continues to evaluate the room throughout camp. The Hokies are expected to continue rotating quarterbacks with the first-team offense before eventually narrowing the competition later in August.
The message has remained consistent: the job will be earned, not handed out.
Virginia Tech rebuilt its quarterback room following the departures of Drones, Pop Watson, and Garret Rangel, leaving Franklin with a mix of transfer additions and young talent. Keldan Ryan is the only quarterback to return from the 2025 roster.
Ethan Grunkemeyer is the only quarterback to bring collegiate experience and any on-field body of work, while the younger quarterbacks offer athleticism and long-term potential. Throughout camp, the staff has appeared more interested in identifying the player who can consistently operate the offense than simply choosing the most talented passer.
As Franklin has repeatedly stressed, protecting the football and making the correct decisions remain the foundation of the evaluation process.
With all of that, a decision will likely come late, with close to three weeks still remaining before the season opener, there is little urgency for Franklin to publicly announce a starter.
Franklin wants the competition to remain fluid throughout camp practices, with multiple quarterbacks receiving opportunities alongside the first-team offense as the staff continues its evaluation. The rotation has reflected Franklin's approach of allowing the competition to play out instead of making an early declaration.
The second half of fall camp will likely determine the outcome. As practices become more situational and scrimmage periods increase, the coaching staff will get a better look at how each quarterback performs in game-like environments. Two-minute drills, third-down situations, and red-zone execution are often where quarterback competitions are won or lost.
Franklin appears comfortable allowing the battle to continue until somebody consistently proves he can lead the offense. While fans are eager to know who will take the first snap of the season, the Hokies have shown no indication that they're willing to sacrifice the right decision simply to make an early one.
Right now, it's likely Grunkemeyer, but only time will tell.
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Joshua Poslusny - who goes by Poz - is a Radford University sophomore in the School of Communication. He graduated from Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi in 2024. He has previously done work for The Tech Lunch Pail, Tech Sideline, and Sons of Saturday, among others. He specializes in baseball coverage, which he has been doing for the last year. He also has experience covering football, basketball, and softball.