If history tells us anything, then things have the potential to get interesting in Blacksburg soon and Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry doesn't hope it does.
After last spring's game at Lane Stadium, the spring transfer portal window opened, and Dylan Wittke entered and ended up going to Minnesota, who beat the Hokies in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte on Jan. 3. Pop Watson performed better in the Spring Game and was tabbed QB2 behind Kyron Drones.
It was announced on Saturday that Drones, who sat out of practice earlier this week, will miss the remainder of spring practices and the Spring Game next weekend at Lane Stadium to have a medical procedure. Pry said in a statement that Drones are expected to be ready for summer workouts, but in this day and age, nothing is a given. With this development, the Hokies must avoid a messy situation when it comes to the portal later this month.
Virginia Tech football needs to avoid a dicey situation with the transfer portal
Wittke was not a huge loss by any means last spring, but, given all the health issues that Drones has gone through the last five months, it's vital that Pry and the Hokies avoid a tough situation with losing a quarterback to the portal. Now, this isn't given that it'll happen, but you have to think that thought has crossed a few fans' minds since the news of Drones broke Saturday.
Watson is an exciting young quarterback who would be able to slide into the starting role if needed. Last season, he played with confidence and even some swagger that proved his readiness to be a QB1. Some fans were ready to name him that if Drones left through the portal.
Who knows, Drones will likely be fine come summer workouts and ready to take the field at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 31 against South Carolina in the season-opener, but one thing Pry and Virginia Tech can't afford to have is losing a signal caller to the portal later this month which would be a depth hit. This is going to be an interesting next couple of weeks under center for the Hokies.