One of the first players to announce that he was returning for the 2024 season for the Virginia Tech football team was quarterback Kyron Drones. After coming over prior to the 2023 season to Blacksburg from Baylor, Drones started Week 3 that season after then starter Grant Wells went down with a injury.
After Drones announced he was coming back, the rest of the announcements came, including Virginia Tech's top four wide receivers and running back Bhayshul Tuten. There was retention on both sides of the ball, but there was a lot of hype on the offensive side.
Going into the season, Drones was a Top 5 quarterback in the ACC according to 247Sports' Brad Crawford. Carter Bahns realeased this season's ACC quarterback rankings and after struggling last season, Drones tumbled in this season's rankings.
Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones tumbles in latest ACC signal caller rankings
Bahns released 247Sports ACC QB rankings for the 2025 season, and Drones tumbled from the fifth spot this time last year to the ninth spot.
"Kyron Drones was a popular breakout pick entering last season, but he actually regressed statistically in his second year at Virginia Tech and missed time down the stretch due to injury. It was a disappointing season all around for the Hokies and for Drones individually. Perhaps with a return to full strength, he can recapture the momentum he built in 2023 with 17 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions, plus 818 rushing yards. Investing in Drones stock could be a decent buy-low opportunity as he enters a post-hype season."
It is easy to agree with Bahns that Drones is a decent buy-low entering the season, but you can't help but think and ask, 'How is his health?' He was ruled out of the rest of the spring practices and the Spring Game in early April due to a medical procedure. According to Brent Pry, he should be ready for summer practices.
This is a big bounce-back season for Drones if he wants to get back into the NFL conversation, but it wasn't surprising to see him fall four spots from last year in the rankings. He has some things to prove with a lot of turnover with the roster.