Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones named to prestigious preseason watch list

When Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones announced last December that he was returning to Blacksburg for another year, it was a huge decision for the program. They were getting back a QB who broke out over the final eight games of the season and you could see that the former Baylor transfer was just getting his feet wet.

Drones spent the offseason working out with Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, two of the top signal callers in the country. Thursday, the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award along with 34 other quarterbacks, eight from the ACC, which is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback. A midseason watch list will be released in mid-October.

Drones is coming off a stellar first full season in Blacksburg where he threw for 2,084 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Not only did he do damage with his arm, but he became a big duel-threat QB running the ball. At 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds, he was tough for defensive players to bring down when he was in the open field and often got a lot of yards after first contact. He finished 818 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and formed a tough running duo with Bhayshul Tuten, who also is returning for 2024.

Drones was not the starter to begin the season in 2023 as that went to veteran Grant Wells, but an injury in Week 2 at home against Purdue opened the door for Drones, and took full advantage. After struggling in his first two games at Rutgers and Marshall, he led the Hokies to a 5-3 ACC record and allowed them to become bowl-eligible with a win over Virginia on Thanksgiving Weekend. With most of the offense production back this season, Drones and his teammates could put a lot of big numbers throughout the season.