It’s been a notable week in college football, particularly for the Virginia Tech Hokies. With the NCAA transfer portal opening on Monday, over two dozen Hokies opted to enter.
The reaction was swift—social media deemed it a mass exodus from a sinking ship. But let’s take a step back. This is the reality of college athletics; it’s happening everywhere. Many of these players had honest discussions with their coaches, who offered a transparent assessment of where they stood within the program. No scholarships were pulled, and no one was forced out—players were simply given a clear picture of their development and future role.
That said, Virginia Tech did suffer some significant losses, most notably redshirt sophomore left tackle Xavier Chaplin. Chaplin’s situation highlights the current landscape—other programs are pursuing him with major offers. While his return isn’t off the table, the Hokies’ lack of an offensive line coach likely means Chaplin will want to make a decision soon.
On Friday, though, Virginia Tech got a boost. Quarterbacks Kyron Drones and William “Pop” Watson both announced they’d return next season. Drones, despite a down year marked by injuries and inconsistent passing, would have drawn attention in the portal. Watson, a redshirt freshman, impressed in his start during the season finale against Virginia. Heading into spring, Drones is expected to remain the starter, but Watson will provide real competition. Head coach Brent Pry is under pressure to win next season, and he’ll rely on whoever gives the team its best chance for success.
While Virginia Tech still has significant work to do in the portal—replacing players who’ve transferred or graduated—Friday brought a much-needed positive. Retaining their top two quarterbacks was a smart move. Now, Pry must focus on rebuilding his coaching staff after letting three assistants go and recruiting talent to fill the gaps.
It’s easy to dwell on the negatives, but for the Hokies, Friday marked a step in the right direction.
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