Virginia Tech season opening opponent expected to have huge QB camp battle

This season, the Virginia Tech football team will kick off the 2024 season with high expectations, and on Labor Day Weekend, the Hokies will open against SEC opponent Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee.

This week, the SEC is holding their annual Football Media Day in Dallas and on Monday, Commodores head coach Clark Lea spoke with the media and one of the topics he discussed was his quarterback situation going into camp and the season-opener.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said the QB battle could go right up until the season opener vs. Virginia Tech

Vanderbilt will be starting a new quarterback under center this season and who that is might not be decided until the season opener against the Hokies is about to kick off. New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia and Utah transfer Nate Johnson are going to battle it out in camp to be the starter.

"Diego brings experience, competitive edge. We’ve already felt his presence in our locker room. There is a quarterback competition we’re undergoing right now, and that will be true up until we play Virginia Tech. We are glad to have him just like we are glad to have the other additions to our roster. For those that know Diego, know he’s a unique competitor with just — he just exudes edge and really proud to have him in black and gold."

- Clark Lea

Pavia is a dual-threat signal caller and last season for the Aggies, he threw for almost 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He rushed for 928 yards and seven more touchdowns. Johnson played in seven games for Utah last season throwing for 499 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 232 yards and four more touchdowns.

Lea not naming a starter should not have a huge effect on Virginia Tech's game plan leading into the game as the Hokies return a lot of players on a defensive unit as well as some key transfer portal additions.

In the overall big picture, this should be a win for Virginia Tech no matter who Lea names as his starter for the opener.