Hokie ClubBy Bill Roth
The late-summer heat clung to the turf like a wet blanket, sweat beading on helmets and shoulders as Virginia Tech’s offense lined up for a red zone drill. From the 20-yard line, senior quarterback Kyron Drones stood tall behind center, eyes locked on the defense, his jersey already soaked through with the work of the afternoon.
The ball was snapped. Drones dropped back — calm, deliberate — then planted his back foot and let it rip.
Kryron Drones returns as QB1 for the Hokies in 2025.
The pass came screaming out of his hand like a missile, slicing through the thick, soupy air. A frozen rope, tight and fast.
Downfield, junior receiver Ayden Greene broke free at the goal line. A defender climbed to meet the ball, but Greene rose higher, hands like magnets as he plucked the dart out of the sky and came down with both feet in the end zone.
Touchdown Tech!
The offense erupted. Teammates shouted. A moment of euphoria — a “did you see that?” celebration in the middle of the brutal pre-season grind.
Drones let a wide grin stretch across his face. He glanced toward Philip Montgomery, Tech’s new offensive coordinator, then took off toward the end zone, chest-pumping, arms open, celebrating with Greene and the rest of the offense under the sweltering August sun.
Yeah, it was just a single red zone rep in camp. Just one play. But it felt like a glimpse of something bigger for Drones.
The kid is having fun again.
“That play ‘man killer’, we had just put in that morning,” Drones recalled. “For us to execute it that well the first time we ran it, that’s why everyone was happy.
“I feel like my confidence level and the fun I’m having is sky high right now,” Drones told me. “I wasn’t having this much fun last year.”
Ah, last year.
Drones entered 2024 with tremendous internal and external expectations. Lots of hype, as we recall. But he didn’t play as well as he had hoped and then suffered through a series of injuries. The Hokies medical staff shut him down by November and he had to focus on rehab. He now admits the outside noise affected him.
“I let it get to my head, listening to the outside world, and going through that up and down year, and then getting the criticism,” Drones told me. “But that's what you're going to get in the league (NFL). So, it just made me better, to be more mature, to not really worry about the outside, and just let me just deal with the people that I’ve got around me in the building working with me and just let me have that confidence in myself that no matter what, I'm the best on the field.”
Like everyone observing Tech’s preseason camp, head coach Brent Pry has noticed a new-look Drones.
“He's faster. He seems healthier to me,” Pry said. “He's got confidence in his health and his abilities right now to run and cut and do things. We haven't seen him like that in quite a while — too long, to be honest. And his mechanics are good. He's making good decisions. There's only been a few throws throughout camp that I think he'd like to have back.”
And Drones has a connection with Montgomery that’s been a positive as well.
Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has high hopes for Kyron Drones this fall.
“I think Phil being a quarterback guy has really helped,” Pry said. “That was something that we were looking for in the process (of hiring a new OC). “Phil's track record lent instant integrity for Kyron, for the offensive staff and what he's done in his career at that position and as an offense.”
“I love Coach Monte,” Drones said. “It feels like we’ve been together for years now. I mean, he recruited me in high school, just the fact that he did that and then wanted to take this position (OC at Virginia Tech.) He really wanted me to be his quarterback. So, I love Coach Monte. He's a QB friendly guy.
“I feel like we just piggyback ideas off each other and we see the game in the same aspect. So, I'm excited about this season.”
For the Hokies to have the 2025 they want, Drones is the key. He’s healthy. He believes in his OC. And, per his head coach, he’s a more mature quarterback than he was a year ago.
“He's had less than favorable performances. He's had hype. He's had criticism. He's had accolades,” Pry said. And he's been through a coaching change now. He's been through it all.”
The result? Pry and Montgomery are confident they enter 2025 with the best version of Drones we’ve seen.
And that’s encouraging for Hokie fans everywhere.
Big FM Signals rejoin Hokies’ Radio Lineup
If you missed it, Virginia Tech Athletics and Playfly Sports announced that WBRW “The Bear” will be back as the radio home for Tech athletics in the New River Valley. The multi-year partnership will bring fans across the region live broadcasts of Virginia Tech football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball games as well as coaches shows.
The Bear will air Hokie football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and Tech Talk Live! on 105.3 FM. In addition, Hokie baseball will be aired on WRAD 101.7 FM. This agreement renews a proud 30-year tradition of Virginia Tech Athletics being heard on WBRW The Bear. And it’s great to add women’s basketball coverage to The Bear, which reflects the passion and interest in Megan Duffy’s program in the region.
Another powerful signal, B99.9 FM “Southern Virginia’s Country Station” blanketing Franklin, Henry and Patrick Counties has joined our network as well.
And in Albemarle County, WCHV-FM 107.5 is also joining the lineup of over 40 radio stations on our Virginia Tech Sports Network.
Our radio broadcast season begins on Thursday with the debut of Tech Talk Live! The weekly show, hosted by Zach Mackey and Mike Burnop, features in-depth conversations with Virginia Tech players and coaches. It will air on Thursday nights from 7–8 p.m. ET throughout the season. The first show of the year will debut on Thursday, August 21, and feature fourth-year head coach Brent Pry.
Tech Talk Live! will hit the road for a special edition live from The Tabernacle in Atlanta on Saturday, August 30, the night before the season opener. This show will air from 7:30–8:30 p.m. ET across the Virginia Tech Sports Network as well.
The Virginia Tech Sports Network consists of over 40 radio affiliates statewide. Broadcasts are also available on Sirius XM satellite radio and streamed live on Hokiesports.com and the Hokiesports mobile app. You can find the complete list of radio affiliates, announcer bios, programming capsules, and steaming options on our HokieSports Fan Guide.
Bill,
Does the 30-day portal opening for players with a coaching change include any coaching change or just head coaches? Mark Zingleman.
Mark,
Great question. Per the current NCAA rules, a student athlete may initiate the transfer process during a 30-day period beginning the day after a head coach departs or announces his or her departure from the school. But this applies to head coaches only.
Dear Bill,
Thanks for opening up for questions again! I was amazed at the records Tyler Mason set at Mt. Airy. He is one of the most talented HS running backs I've seen in the last few years. With his redshirt year, I'm wondering if he has a shot at getting significant number of snaps this year. What's the scoop on Tyler? Thanks. Wade Johnson, Powhatan, Va.
Hi Wade,
You’re right! Tyler was a prolific running back at Mt. Airy where he rushed for over 6,000 career yards and 100 TDs, helping the Granite Bears to a pair of state titles. I visited with Hokies running back coach Elijah Brooks who told me “Tyler had a very good off season, improving on his strength and explosiveness. He has spent time improving his football IQ. There is a lot of talent in the running back room but Tyler will have a chance to contribute this season.” Tyler played in two games for the Hokies last year, rushing 10 times for 39 yards. Like you, I’m excited to see him contribute even more this season.
Bill,
Is there discussion in the Athletic Dept regarding some form of salary cap for money going from the University to student athletes? I'm all for the athletes sharing in the revenue they help generate, but I'd like to see a reasonable cap and the money ultimately being spread a bit further than huge payouts to a limited number of star players. I believe this would be good policy throughout college sports. Steve McLellan, Blacksburg, Va.
Steve,
Terrific question and I visited with Hokies’ AD Whit Babcock and Executive Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Derek Gwinn on this topic.
Under the NCAA settlement, schools like Virginia Tech will have an annual cap of $20.5 million to share with student athletes. That cap includes both new scholarship dollars and direct revenue-sharing payments.
At Virginia Tech, the sports receiving revenue-sharing funds are football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball — the programs that generate revenue for our athletics department. Within those teams, the head coach or their respective GM’s (named that officially or not) will decide how to allocate funds among their rosters.
Importantly, part of the $20.5 million also goes toward expanded scholarship limits, so student athletes across all sports benefit, not just those in the revenue-sharing programs.
We are being intentional about balancing fairness, competitive success, and sustainability as we move into this new model.
Thanks again for your question.
Bill,
Who will we have playing tight end this year? Kenneth Price, Chilhowie, Va.
Kenneth,
Always great to hear from Hokies in Smyth County. We’ve had some memorable Hokie Club trips down there over the years and it’s always a lot of fun to visit. As for tight end, the Hokies have some talent and experience in the tight end room for sure. Benji Gosnell played in all 13 games last year with 134 receiving yards and a touchdown. Check out the HokieSports.com tight end preview for a complete rundown.
Bill,
Do we have any newly recruited QBs? Bill Woodson, Bel Air, Md.
There are three new quarterbacks who have joined the Virginia Tech program since last season. The newest is transfer Garret Rangel from Oklahoma State. The Texas native played in 13 games and started four over the last three seasons for the Cowboys. In his only start last year (at BYU) he completed six of nine passes had a career-long 54-yard run but suffered on injury on that play that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Rangel was a highly regarded high school recruit. He was rated as a four-star prospect by On3 and ESPN, ranking as the No. 232 player nationally in the 2022 class.
Charlotte native A.J. Brand and Fort Worth, Texas product Kelden Ryan are true freshmen who were here for the spring and we’re excited to see their progress too. Check out HokieSports.com QB preview for a complete rundown on the QBs in the Tech program.
For decades, we included fan input in the Roth Report and this feature returns this fall. We had a lot of fun back in the 2000’s with this and I’m excited we’re bringing it back to our official online home.
Have a question, comment, or observation? This is the place to be heard, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer. Submit your question if you’d to contribute!