The Hokies land a four-star QB from the 2025 recruiting class.
The Virginia Tech Hokies expected a lot of turnover at the quarterback position in 2026. Kyron Drones ran out of eligibility, while Pop Watson and Garret Rangel transferred. It wouldn’t have mattered; new coach James Franklin was intent on overhauling the position this offseason.
Early on, we learned that former Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is expected to land at Virginia Tech. The former 4-star quarterback started down the stretch for the Nittany Lions and played well. He has three years of eligibility remaining. While he hasn’t officially signed yet, fans shouldn’t worry.
On Saturday, Franklin made a big move. While waiting on Grunkemeyer to become official, he added another former elite recruit to the quarterback room, as Bryce Baker committed to the Hokies. Baker, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound passer from Kernersville, North Carolina, played high school football at East Forsyth. Baker was a consensus 4-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, committing to Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Baker did not play last season, redshirting, which means he has four years of eligibility remaining. He is a true dual-threat prospect, but is considered more of a pass-first quarterback. Baker needs some mechanical work, but the tools are there. He is the perfect player to sit for a year or two and then, in an ideal world, take over at quarterback.
Things don’t often play out that way in the current era, due to NIL and the transfer portal. Players develop impatience, and others are always recruiting them. Baker had a close relationship with Franklin and quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien at Penn State, which helped to land him.
Another big-time addition for Franklin and the Hokies.
Category: General Sports
