It’s been an eventful week in college football, particularly for the Virginia Tech Hokies. With the NCAA transfer portal opening on Monday, over two dozen Hokies entered, sparking concern. Social media buzzed with claims of a mass exodus from a “sinking ship.” But let’s take a step back—this is just the reality of modern college sports. It’s happening across the country. Many of these players likely had honest discussions with their coaches about their roles on the team. Coaches didn’t revoke scholarships or force anyone out; instead, they provided a candid assessment of where each player stood in their development.
That said, there were some notable departures, including redshirt sophomore left tackle Xavier Chaplin. Chaplin is a highly sought-after player, already receiving significant offers from other programs. While his return to Virginia Tech isn’t entirely off the table, the absence of an offensive line coach and his need to find stability may push him to move on.
Amid the roster shakeup, Virginia Tech got some positive news on Friday. Quarterbacks Kyron Drones and William “Pop” Watson announced they’d return to Blacksburg next season. Both players would have drawn interest in the portal, especially Drones, despite a challenging season marred by injuries and inconsistent play. Drones didn’t showcase the same sharpness as a passer that he had a year ago, but his potential remains evident.
Watson, a redshirt freshman, started the season finale against Virginia and delivered an impressive performance. While Drones will likely enter spring as the presumed starter, Watson is expected to provide strong competition. With head coach Brent Pry under pressure to win next season, the starter will ultimately be whoever gives the team the best chance for success.
The Hokies still face significant work in replacing players lost to the portal and graduation. However, retaining their top two quarterbacks was a critical win. Quarterback is, after all, the most pivotal position in football. Now, Pry must focus on rebuilding his coaching staff after letting go of three assistants this week and finding replacements for departed players via the portal.
While much of the week was marked by departures, Friday was a bright spot for Pry and his team—a much-needed dose of optimism amid the chaos.
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