Virginia Tech Football Faces Major Spring Challenge: Avoiding a Quarterback Crisis
Spring football in Blacksburg could take a dicey turn for Virginia Tech if the Hokies aren’t careful. With the transfer portal looming large, Coach Brent Pry and the Virginia Tech football team have a potential crisis on their hands—one they need to avoid at all costs.
Last year’s spring transfer portal window saw quarterback Dylan Wittke enter the portal and ultimately land at Minnesota, who went on to defeat the Hokies in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in January. Despite Wittke’s departure, the Hokies seemed to find some stability at quarterback with Pop Watson emerging as the backup to Kyron Drones, who was expected to lead the offense this season. However, this spring, the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
On Saturday, it was revealed that Drones, who had already missed some practice time, would be sidelined for the remainder of spring practices, including the upcoming Spring Game, due to a medical procedure. While Pry has stated that Drones is expected to be ready for summer workouts, in today’s unpredictable landscape, nothing can be taken for granted. This development raises the stakes for Virginia Tech, as they now face the risk of an even deeper quarterback dilemma, especially with the transfer portal window opening soon.
While Wittke’s departure last spring didn’t significantly impact the team, the situation is different this time. With Drones dealing with health issues over the past few months, there’s a legitimate concern about the Hokies losing a quarterback to the portal. It’s not a certainty, but with Drones’ status uncertain, the possibility of another transfer cannot be ignored.
Enter Pop Watson, the talented young quarterback who impressed during the Spring Game last season. Watson, with his confidence and swagger, has shown that he’s capable of stepping up into a starting role if needed. Many fans have even considered the idea of Watson becoming QB1 if Drones were to leave, but that would leave Virginia Tech without a proven backup in a critical season.
While Drones is likely to be ready for the season opener against South Carolina in late August, the next few weeks are critical for the Hokies. Pry and Virginia Tech cannot afford to lose another quarterback to the transfer portal, as that would severely affect their depth at the most important position on the field. The spring and summer ahead will be crucial for the Hokies, as they navigate the uncertainty at quarterback.