Going into the Transfer Portal window, there were multiple needs for new Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin. At the top of the list was a quarterback after the recent developments over the last month, after the Hokies' season ended with a loss on Thanksgiving weekend at Virginia.
Kyron Drones has wiped out all of his eligibility after the 2025 season, while Pop Watson announced he was entering the Transfer Portal, as did Oklahoma State transfer Garret Rangel. That just leaves a pair of freshmen, Kelden Ryan nd A.J. Brand, on the roster. Franklin does have a Class of 2026 talented signal caller, Troy Huhn, committed.
This is another portal cycle, with some talented quarterbacks entering the transfer portal, and one of them is well-known to Franklin and his quarterback coach, Danny O'Brien. Ethan Grunkemeyer entered the portal after playing in the final seven games for the Nittany Lions, following Drew Allar's injury, and led them to three straight wins, becoming bowl-eligible. He committed to Franklin and Virginia Tech in the portal, marking the third former Penn State player to follow Franklin to Virginia Tech.
BREAKING: Penn State transfer QB Ethan Grunkemeyer is expected to transfer to Virginia Tech
— Kolby Crawford (@kolby_crawford) January 5, 2026
The 6-2, 212-pound quarterback had 1,339 passing yards and 9 total touchdowns this season
Ranked as the No. 11 QB in the portal by @247Sports
Story: https://t.co/S6NugeAG7F pic.twitter.com/4ZTHgSTEAx
Virginia Tech lands QB transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer
Grunkemeyer will be reunited with former Penn State teammates, tight end Matt Henderson and defensive lineman Daniel Jennings, at Tech. Grunkemeyer should throw a lot of passes Henderson's way in the future in Blacksburg.
Grunkemeyer finished the 2025 campaign throwing for 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns. He led Penn State to wins over Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers to get the Nittany Lions to the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. He was 23-for-34 for 260 yards and a pair of touchdown passes against the Tigers in a Nittany Lions win at Yankee Stadium. Virginia Tech will visit Clemson in 2026.
It wouldn't be surprising to see Virginia Tech get another portal QB this cycle, the only cycle after the spring one was eliminated. However, Grunkemeyer is a very good start to rebuilding the position and Huhn coming in shouldn't be too far off from seeing snaps in Blacksburg. The James Franklin effect at Virginia Tech is rolling just days into the portal.