Going into camp for the 2026 season, one position that has some questions surrounding it for the Virginia Tech football team is at wide receiver. New coach James Franklin and his staff retained Ayden Greene and picked up a big portal commitment from Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown.
Aside from those two receivers, there are a lot more questions than answers. However, Brown's pickup could prove to be big. He is coming off a big season for the Blue Devils, and a couple of weeks before the beginning, he was named to a preseason award watch list.
Virginia Tech WR names to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List
The watch list for the Biletnikoff Award has been released, and Brown was on the list. How rough has it been for the Hokies the last couple of seasons? Brown is the first Virginia Tech wide receiver to be named to the list since former pass catchers Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane were named to the preseason list ahead of the 2023 season.
There was a reason why Brown was targeted in the Transfer Portal by Virginia Tech. The North Carolina native hauled in 64 passes last season for Duke coach Manny Diaz for 846 yards and five touchdowns. Against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve, Brown had 10 catches for 178 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Brown brings versatility to the Hokies. Like a lot of receivers, he can return punts, and the 5-foot-8 North Carolina native is quick and a difficult matchup one-on-one. In two seasons on the field for Duke, he had 1,291 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He gives Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer a true 1-2 punch with Greene.
Ten ACC wide receivers, including Brown, were named to the watch list. Also listed were Chase Hendricks and Ian Strong of California, T.J. Moore of Clemson, Javen Nicholas of Duke, Duce Robinson of Florida State, Tre Richardson of Louisville, Cooper Barkate and Malachi Toney of Miami, and Victor Snow of North Carolina State.
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the Creator and Sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, Recognizing the College Football Season's Outstanding FBS Receiver at Any Position, Announces the 2026 Preseason Biletnikoff Award Watch List. https://t.co/eV1SpHyUfZ pic.twitter.com/tB8hFlWhuI
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) August 19, 2026
The Hokies' season begins in 16 days when VMI visits Blacksburg for Franklin's first game as head coach. It shouldn't take long for Virginia Tech fans to see what a huge pickup and addition Brown will be.
Add us as a preferred source on Google