Virginia Tech football: Can Braxton Burmeister shine in 2021?

For Virginia Tech football, the quarterback position has come down to competition in spring training for the last few years but this year has looked different.

The Hokies once crowded quarterback room has a bit more room now. Hendon Hooker and Quincy Patterson both transferred leaving Braxton Burmeister and Knox Kadum.

Virginia Tech will add two quarterbacks, Connor Blumrick, a transfer who is enrolling early, and Tahj Bullock who will join in the fall.

Even though the Hokies had some offensive players depart the program there is still a ton of talent on this offense. They will have to be much more consistent on offense and that will start with the signal-caller.

Unless something surprising happens, Braxton Burmeister should be the starting quarterback when the Hokies kick off the 2021 season against North Carolina.

Tech has a fairly decent schedule and Burmeister should have a breakout year next season. Here are three reasons why.

Dual-threat

The most successful quarterbacks to come through Virginia Tech have been dual-threat QBs. Burmeister is a textbook example of a dual-threat. He can escape the pocket and burn teams with his legs as well as his arm.

He’s a speedy, crafty, and smart quarterback who will be able to extend and make big plays for the Hokies. His arm strength was slightly in question before last season but he stepped in and delivered when called upon.

Burmeister saw action in seven games, starting four of those. In his four starts, he went 3-1. He had 687 passing yards, 182 rushing yards, two touchdown passes, and two rushing touchdowns.

The last game of the season against Virginia should be an indication of what Burmeister will do next season. In the game against UVA, he passed for 212 yards, a touchdown, and went 15 for 22. He also had 36 yards on the ground in the win.

Returning weapons

The offensive line was a bright spot for the Hokies last season. There are some holes on the offensive line that need to be filled but with weapons, in the backfield, and at receiver, he will be well equipped.

Even though Khalil Herbert is gone, there is still quite the running back talent in the backfield. Raheem Blackshear, Jalen Holston, and Keshawn King who all saw minutes last season are returning. It’s unclear which of the three might be the starter although Blackshear or Holston is the most likely. Either way, the running game should be good again this season to relieve Burmeister a bit.

At wide receiver, he’s got his No. 1 in Tre Turner, a player that can a breakout game and is extremely reliable catching the ball. Behind Turner should be Jaden Payoute and Kaleb Smith, more reliable targets in the receiving corp.

Perhaps the biggest weapon in Burmeister’s arsenal will be tight-end James Mitchell. He was a player that could have entered the 2021 NFL Draft but chose to return to college which is a real positive for this Virginia Tech football team. He should be an important pass catcher and can also help in the blocking for the run game.

Focus on Burmeister

Burmeister will benefit from not having the quarterback competition, as he is getting the majority of the first-team reps. His confidence can grow and blossom knowing that he’s the number one guy, the guy that the coaching staff is putting all their faith in.

He was able to build up chemistry playing last season but that chemistry will grow throughout spring practice and into the fall.

Burmeister has all the talent to find a lot of success this season and I think we will see him shine as the starter with this Virginia Tech football team.