2025 VT Football Notebook: QB Questions and a Glimpse of The Future

On James Franklin’s first game day as Virginia Tech’s new Head Coach, he saw that the mountain to the top of the college football world will be a long one for the Hokies, but the bones are there for success. Franklin asked Hokie Nation to pack Lane Stadium, and they did. Not every seat was filled, but it was the best environment you’ll ever find for a 3-7 team. In his introductory press conference, Franklin said that the commitment needs to meet the expectations, and Hokie Nation is about as committed as they come.

Franklin also saw two guys who could be major features in his backfield in 2026. Running backs Marcellous Hawkins and Jeff Overton both averaged over nine yards per rush on Saturday. For Hawkins, it was another solid outing in a season where he’s put up 677 yards on 6.2 yards per carry. For Overton, this game meant a lot more. According to 247 Sports, Overton was the top prospect in the Hokies’ 2024 recruiting class. Unfortunately, he suffered an early career setback when he injured his knee during preparations for last season’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Overton slowly worked his way back and made his surprising season debut against Louisville. Coming into Saturday, Overton had played just two games, totaling 7 carries for 24 yards. Against Miami, a top-five rush defense, Overton went for 69 yards and a touchdown off just 7 carries. 

Overton clearly has next-level speed and demonstrated his vision on the scoring run. Franklin’s teams have a history of great running backs, and now at Virginia Tech, he will have a couple of in-house options as he builds the roster.

Aside from the talent at running back, the rest of this Hokies’ roster will need some work. That was made painfully apparent when facing a Miami team that will always field a talented bunch. On Saturday, the Hokies played hard, as they’ve continued to do under Philip Montgomery. They moved the ball efficiently, the defense forced some key field goals, and the Hokies even made a late run at a miracle comeback with a recovered onside kick, but Miami won because they just had better dudes—Jimmys and Joes, not X’s and O’s as they say. 

Miami’s passing offense diced up the Hokies all afternoon. QB Carson Beck went 27/32 for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman phenom Malachi Toney lived up to the hype, racking up 12 catches, 146 yards, and a late touchdown that will serve as College Football Playoff style points for the Canes. The Hokies were overwhelmed by Miami’s speed and versatility at the skill positions. When Toney would line up in the backfield, the Hokies would match him with a defensive end, which obviously ended poorly. VT was clearly outmatched in the trenches, too, with Miami registering five sacks and a strip sack fumble.

Meanwhile, Carson Beck did not see a Hokie Stone jersey in his face all day. Saturday’s loss demonstrated that the culture is still intact in this roster. Even with no bowl game on the horizon, the team still fights, but the talent still needs to be upgraded.

Some of those potential upgrades were on hand Saturday as the sidelines of Lane Stadium were littered with recruits. Four-star athlete Keith Nolen Jr., safety Matt Sieg, and RB Messiah Mickens highlighted the group and will be names to watch as Franklin begins to build his inaugural class at VT. 

However, before we start diving into recruiting rankings and the transfer portal, there is one last game for the Hokies to play. On Saturday, they will travel two hours north to face their rival. UVA has had a great season, and its ACC Championship/CFP hopes are still alive. It will now be the Hokies' job to play spoiler against the program they have dominated since the waning days of the Clinton administration. Since 1999, the Hokies have won 23/25 matchups, and the Commonwealth Cup has resided in Blacksburg since 2020. 

The Hokies have beaten the Hoos with an interim coach before, and now they’ll have to do it again, but with perhaps a different QB under center. At the end of the Miami game, QB Kyron Drones was taken out after taking some big hits. Redshirt Sophomore Pop Watson replaced Drones. Watson’s first play was a 4th and 10, and he ripped a beautiful pass down the sideline to Ayden Greene. Then, Watson dragged his way into the endzone before an emphatic spike. Those two plays were enough to start calls in Hokie Nation to start Pop against UVA. Watson does have some experience against the Hoos, beating them last year in Blacksburg. Philip Montgomery was non-committal when asked whether Watson would get a package next week in Charlottesville. 

No matter who starts at quarterback next week, the Commonwealth Clash is set to deliver another major moment. UVA has played in close games all year, and Montgomery’s squad certainly is not going to back down from this challenge. Leaders like Kelvin Gilliam will make sure the Hokies are ready for the test, as they look to turn Scott Stadium into Lane Stadium North once again.