Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – As the Virginia Tech football team continues its summer workouts, all eyes are undoubtedly fixed on a pivotal offensive nexus for the Hokies—the quarterbacks room. Now supported by new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery and seasoned quarterbacks coach Brian Crist, the signal callers have been united by intense offseason training. This week’s Position Preview places a magnifying glass on a room that promises to be exciting for the fans of Hokie Nation.
Kyron Drones returns for his third season at Virginia Tech following two years under center in Blacksburg. After stepping into the starting job during the 2023 season, Drones has continued to own the role, relying on a combination of explosive arm power, deep-ball accuracy, running ability, and quick thinking inside the pocket. His 2,085 passing yards and 22 total offensive touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 were a big part of the Hokies’ run to the Military Bowl, a game in which Drones ran for a bowl-record 176 yards and earned MVP recognition.
2024 was a similar story for the then-redshirt junior. While injuries hampered the tail-end of Drones’s year, his 1,562 passing yards and 10 passing touchdowns through nine starts displayed why the Hokies have full faith in his ability as a signal-caller.
Returning alongside Drones in the quarterback room is William “Pop” Watson III, who stepped into the starting position in the final two games last season. Watson had his best collegiate showing in the 2024 iteration of the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, accruing over 300 yards of total offense while finding the end zone twice (one passing, one rushing) en route to a bowl eligibility-clinching 37-17 home win against Virginia. His ability to escape defenses as a mobile quarterback is largely supported by the quarterback’s 5-foot-11 frame, giving Watson the ability to scramble and make big plays when the Hokies need it most.
Competing for the QB2 spot alongside Watson will be former Oklahoma State quarterback Garret Rangel. After Rangel announced his entrance into the transfer portal last season, Head Coach Brent Pry and the Hokies quickly scooped up the 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback, giving Tech another veteran to work with in the quarterback room. Rangel threw for more than a thousand yards and 16 TDs over three seasons in Stillwater.
Rangel is an exciting pickup for the Hokies. As a former four-star quarterback out of high school, he was recruited by Montgomery during his tenure as the head coach at the University of Tulsa (2015-22). Now that the pairing is reunited in Blacksburg, fans should keep their eyes peeled towards enticing competition for the QB2 position.
Rounding out the 2025 edition of the quarterback room are a pair of dual-threat true freshmen, Charlotte, North Carolina’s A.J. Brand and Fort Worth, Texas product Kelden Ryan. Both quarterbacks will benefit from firsthand exposure to the Hokies’ quarterback competition, a valuable learning experience as they navigate their first seasons in Blacksburg.
Brand enters the quarterback room with an impressive list of accolades to his name. As a four-year varsity starter at Irmo High School in Irmo, South Carolina, the 6-foot-2 freshman accounted for a staggering 11,889 total yards and 151 total touchdowns in his high school career. Moreover, Brand was recognized as the 2024 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year after a senior season that saw 2,600 passing yards, 2,029 rushing yards, and 57 total touchdowns.
Comparatively, Ryan found success as a four-year varsity letterwinner and two-year captain. His 39 total touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing) and 2,353 passing yards in his senior season at DeSoto High School were enough to lead the Eagles to an 11-2 record. The 6-foot-2 signal caller was ranked as the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback by ESPN.com.
As the Hokies continue to work towards an exciting kickoff in August, the quarterback room is surely going to be an exciting place to keep an eye on. Be sure to secure your tickets before the Hokies begin their season later this fall!