Ground Breaking: just in Virginia Tech Quarterback announces his return

Virginia Tech Football: Stars Returning in 2025

It’s been a whirlwind week for college football, and Virginia Tech hasn’t been an exception. With the NCAA transfer portal opening on Monday, over two dozen Hokies entered their names, sparking concern among fans. Social media buzzed with talk of a “sinking ship,” but the reality is that this is the nature of college sports today.

In many cases, players had straightforward conversations with their coaches about their roles and development within the program. While no one was forced out or lost scholarships, many chose to explore other opportunities after honest evaluations.

Still, some departures were particularly tough for Virginia Tech, especially losing redshirt sophomore left tackle Xavier Chaplin. As a highly sought-after player, Chaplin is drawing significant interest from other programs with strong offers. Although the Hokies would welcome him back, the absence of an offensive line coach might push him to finalize a move elsewhere soon.

Despite these challenges, Friday brought good news for Hokies fans: quarterbacks Kyron Drones and William “Pop” Watson announced their intentions to remain in Blacksburg for the 2025 season. Both would have been attractive targets in the transfer portal, particularly Drones, even after a less-than-stellar season. Injuries affected his performance, and he struggled with passing consistency compared to the previous year.

Kyron Drones

Meanwhile, Watson, a redshirt freshman, made a strong impression in the season finale against Virginia, showcasing his potential. Heading into spring, Drones is expected to be the frontrunner for the starting job, but Watson will provide stiff competition. With head coach Brent Pry under pressure to deliver results next season, he’s likely to go with the quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win.

The Hokies now face the task of replacing players lost to the portal and graduation. While quarterback remains the most critical position, Pry and his staff must also address other roster gaps and bring in fresh talent through the portal.

Friday marked a bright spot for Virginia Tech, with Drones and Watson’s return providing a solid foundation for the team’s most vital position. As Pry looks to finalize his coaching staff and rebuild the roster, there’s reason for cautious optimism in Blacksburg.