When Virginia Tech hired James Franklin as their next football coach to replace Brent Pry, you knew that there were going to be some coaches and players following him, eventually from State College to Blacksburg. Those moves started first with some assistant coaches, before the Transfer Portal additions followed last month.
As expected, there was an overhaul of the roster on both sides of the ball. Some of the additions through the portal have the potential to be some big ones, especially on the offensive side of the ball. It is going to be a new-look offense under new offensive coordinator Ty Howle. With that said, here are three Transfer Portal additions that can revitalize Tech's offense next fall.
Virginia Tech newcomers that will make the biggest impact on offense
The Hokies' quarterback room is going to be very young in 2026. Gone is Kyron Drones, who used up all of his eligibility. Pop Watson entered the portal and is returning to Massachusetts to continue his career at UMass, while Garret Rangel also entered the portal. True freshman Kelden Ryan and AJ Brand are returning, while incoming Class of 2026 QB Troy Huhn will push the other signal callers, and Bryce Baker transferred from North Carolina. The projected starter will be Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Last season, Grunkemeyer was pressed into action after starter Drew Allar went down with an injury in October. In nine games, the Ohio native threw for 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Grunkemeyer will be joined by Howle and quarterback coach Danny O'Brien at Virginia Tech, also making the move from Penn State. The Hokies will benefit from Grunkmeyer's experience in 2025 for the Nittany Lions.
Tight ends have been somewhat of a non-factor in Virginia Tech's offense the last couple of seasons under offensive coordinators Tyler Bowen and Philip Montgomery. They were used more in 2025 than in past seasons, but with Luke Reynolds coming over from Penn State, he can quickly turn into the Hokies' fan favorite.
Reynolds, a 6-foot-4 target from Massachusetts, had 26 receptions for 257 yards in 2025. He had seven catches for 73 yards against Florida International, and he caught two passes against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl in December for 28 yards in Penn State's 22-10 victory. He will be at the top of the list of breakout candidates next fall for Virginia Tech.
Franklin is getting wide receiver Ayden Greene coming back and a good young core, but there is no doubt that Virginia Tech needed playmakers on the outside for Grunkemeyer. Howle and Franklin landed Duke wide receiver Que'Sean Brown in the portal, and he is another target who can make plays.
In 2024, he caught 41 passes for 445 yards for Duke and two touchdowns, then in 2025, he hauled in 64 passes for 846 yards and five touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes in a win over Clemson in November, then in a 42-39 Sun Bowl win over Arizona State, Brown had 10 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-8 sophomore from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is going to be a big playmaker for the Hokies.