James Franklin Remains Non-Committal on Naming a Starting Quarterback: Is This A Mistake?

Virginia Tech has continued to go through fall camp and Ethan Grunkemeyer is largely viewed as the front runner for the QB job, but he has not been named the starter yet

Jul 16, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks to the media during Media Day at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fall Camp is starting to come to a close for Virginia Tech, and the Hokies have yet to name a starting quarterback.

Coming into camp, Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer was considered the heavy favorite to become the starter for the Hokies after he had shown real promise last season down the stretch when he had to step in for Drew Allar. Grunkemeyer is the only quarterback on the Hokies roster who has started a game at the power-four level, and he has real NFL upside.

When Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin met with the media early on in fall camp, he declined to name a starter, but did say that one would be named before the Hokies faced VMI in the season opener. After practice on Friday, Franklin had the same stance about the quarterback competition and declined to name a starter:

"It's still a competition, and we've still got a lot of work to do between now and our first game," Franklin said.

Is this an issue?

Ethan Grunkemeyer has yet to be named Virginia Tech's starting quarterback | Virginia Tech Athletic

At the end of the day, I still think that Grunkemeyer is going to be named the starting quarterback for the Hokies. He has the highest upside, familiarity with the staff, and experience against high-level competition. Not only did he get to start last season, but he had to face two of the best defenses in the country, Indiana and Ohio State.

During the spring, Franklin had this interesting note about the quarterback competition and why it is beneficial to wait to name a starter:

"I just think that's in everybody's best interest. Once you make that decision, you say that the second team and the third team guys should still be preparing like the starter, but it usually takes some time to get over that and then move on. So I'd like to keep it alive as long as we possibly can, not just at the quarterback position, but really in every position. And the reality is, it's not like I have to say something, right? The guys see it, right? They kind of have an idea. I want multiple quarterbacks to take on a leadership role, but the players are going to listen to who they believe in, who they trust and who they respect. So it's not like we got to crown somebody for everybody to see it and feel it. The players got a pretty good idea."

I think that is what is going on here.

It would not surprise me if Franklin has declined to name a starter so that the competition continues right up until the season opener in two weeks, and the reality is, that multiple quarterbacks should see the field in the Hokies' game against VMI. Grunkemeyer, Bryce Baker, Kelden Ryan, and Troy Huhn could all be on the field and taking snaps with the offense.

With other questions on its roster, particularly offensive line, Virginia Tech is going to need high-level quarterback play if it hopes to achieve its ceiling, which could be that of a team who can make an ACC Championship appearance.

This is one of the most important quarterback battles in the ACC and the country and there are going to be a lot of eyes on the decision that the Hokies, which I still believe will be Grunkemeyer at the end of the day.