Virginia Tech Post-Spring Depth Chart Predictions: Quarterbacks

As the Virginia Tech football team heads into the summer, one area where fans should feel very good with is the quarterback room. At this time last year, there were more questions than answers and the position had a huge turnover after Week 2 when Grant Wells, named the starter out of camp, suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Baylor transfer Kyron Drones.

This offseason has seen some tweaking with the depth chart after a backup transferred out and a veteran came in to replace him and potentially will move up the chart. Ideally for head coach Brent Pry, this is the one position where he doesn’t need to worry about anything over the summer other than everyone remaining healthy.

As Virginia Tech heads into a break before camp begins over the summer, here is a prediction for the Hokies depth chart under center for 2024. After what transpired over the last 10 games of last season as well as how good the spring practices went, this list should not come as a surprise to anyone.

Kyron Drones

OK, I know, I’m not breaking any news here, but for the first time in a while Virginia Tech has to be elated with the way they are beginning the season under center with Drones. After getting his feet wet in Weeks 3 and 4 against Rutgers and Purdue on the road, he really took off along with the offense once ACC play began and it led them to bounce back from a 1-3 start to go 5-3 in conference play and a bowl game.

Drones threw for 2,084 yards, 17 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His passing numbers should go up this fall with all the retainment the Hokies got at the wide receiver position with Ali Jennings (who missed 10 games in 2024 with an injury), Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, and Jaylin Lane all coming back. Drones was also able to run the ball effectively rushing for 818 yards and five touchdowns. With running back Byahshul Tuten and some younger backs looking good in the spring, the potential is there for the Hokies to attack teams in multiple ways.

Collin Schlee

Schlee was a late April addition from the transfer portal after Dylan Wittke entered the portal shortly after the Spring Game. He had a really good 2022 season at Kent State before transferring to UCLA where he played some snaps during the regular season before leading the Bruins to a Los Angeles Bowl win over Boise State.

Against the Broncos, he was 11-for-16 for 78 yards through the air and rushing for 127 yards on seven rushes. He has one more year of eligibility remaining and he brings a similar skill set as Drones and will battle it out with Pop Watson in camp to be QB2.

Pop Watson

Speaking of Watson, the former Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts at powerhouse Springfield Central emerged from the Spring Game as Drones’ backup ahead of Wittke, but will now have a battle on his hands this summer with Schlee. He has a strong arm and the scrambling ability to keep opposing defenses on their toes. Again, a Schlee/Watson camp battle will be fun to keep an eye on.

Davi Belfort

Incoming freshman Davi Belfort picked Virginia Tech over Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and Arizona State among others He recently enrolled for the summer in Blacksburg. He's a tough runner who some see as undersized at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, he’s not afraid to take on a defensive player by lowering his head and shoulders to fight for extra yards. 

Again, this is a very promising room for Pry and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen going into 2024 and it has the least amount of questions, with the only one being who emerges as QB2 this summer.