2026 Tech Transcripts, Vol. 5: Scrimmage Standouts Reshape Position Battles

There’s no substitute for game reps. Until you see players under the lights in a true firefight against another team, fully evaluating them can be difficult. Unfortunately, there are no joint practices or scrimmages in college football, so the best coaches can do during the spring is scrimmage each other. Those scrimmages can still provide valuable information, however, and it seems like after the Hokies' first intrasquad clash, this staff has learned a lot. So let’s jump into who’s standing out, and everything else I saw and heard at practice.

Scrimmage Standouts

Much of the conversation surrounding the quarterback position this offseason has centered around transfers Ethan Grunkemeyer and Bryce Baker. However, the coaching staff has made it clear it is an open competition, and freshman Troy Huhn seems to be making the most of that. James Franklin said Huhn threw for four touchdowns in the team’s scrimmage and was the player who impressed him the most.

Staying with the quarterback position, Franklin also said he plans to have the QB’s go live in a scrimmage at some point this spring. That means they can get hit and tackled when, usually, the play is blown dead as soon as they are touched. That could allow Bryce Baker to show off his speed and athleticism. 

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UNC transfer Bryce Baker on the QB competition and the dynamic of that room:

Defensively, Brent Pry told us that defensive end Aycen Stevens and defensive back Kenny Woseley Jr. impressed him during the scrimmage. Pry added that Stevens has been making plays all over the field this spring, and is part of a competitive defensive end room that features six players vying for starting roles. 

The last note from the scrimmage I will highlight here is that offensive coordinator Ty Howle was in the booth calling plays on Saturday, suggesting that’s where he will be during games this season. 

Letting Pry be Pry

James Franklin told us on Tuesday that he has taken on a more active role coaching the offense this year than in years past. He said that he has trusted Brent Pry to really be the head coach of the defense. When asked about how the dynamic with Pry has been, Franklin spoke glowingly about his longtime assistant and friend. He says they have fallen right back into a great working relationship and have picked up where they left off from their time working together at Penn State.

Injury Updates

Following injuries during the spring can be difficult because coaches are going to be overly cautious even with the smallest nicks and bruises. One of the main goals of spring is to keep the team healthy heading into the fall. However, there are a few things to keep an eye on as we enter the second half of camp. First, receiver Chanz Wiggins was in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday. Wiggins has struggled with injuries during his college career after arriving in Blacksburg as a highly touted recruit. He was still participating in some drills, so hopefully whatever he is dealing with is nothing serious. 

On the offensive line, redshirt freshman Michael Troutman was running with the first group on Tuesday, with Johnny Garrett and Brody Meadows not spotted on the field. It’s rare to see young players crack that position, but Troutman has at least earned reps in the rotation and now has the opportunity to earn a bigger role in the offense.

Marcellous Hawkins was also sporting the orange, non-contact jersey on Tuesday. Hawkins was ruled out for spring before camp opened, but James Franklin says he has been participating in individual drills. Running backs coach Norval McKenzie has been impressed by Hawkins, highlighting his massive 225-pound frame.

Breakout Season for Overton?

After battling back from a serious injury during bowl practice in 2024, Jeff Overton was one of the few bright spots on a Hokies offense that struggled last season. Now, with a full, healthy offseason under his belt, Overton is already impressing the new coaching staff. James Franklin said that he had heard a lot about Overton when he first got to Blacksburg, and he now sees why. Franklin also said that Overton has bulked up and could weigh in around 210 pounds come the fall.

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CJF says one RB has started to separate from the pack👀:

The Hokies are Rolling Deep

Something that really stood out during our conversations with Franklin and Pry was the depth of the team. Franklin has repeatedly emphasized depth during his early days in Blacksburg, saying he wants to be 3-deep at every position. While the Hokies may not be there yet, Franklin says the roster is moving in the right direction.

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Coach has repeatedly said he wants to be 3-deep at every position, and he feels like the Hokies are moving in the right direction towards that goal:

Defensively, Pry not only noted the depth of the defensive end room, but also at the cornerback position. He said he’s been incredibly pleased with Troy transfer Jaquez White, who was the seventh-ranked corner in On3’s Portal Rankings. Pry also highlighted UConn transfer Cam Chadwick Jr., saying he’s “been a little better than we thought he’d be.” On returner Isaiah Brown-Murray, Pry noted that he is the most mature guy in the room and loves his leadership, and as I already noted, Kenny Woseley was a standout in the scrimmage. With all those potential options, it seems like the Hokies will have plenty of options in the secondary this season. 

Past Experience Shaping VT's Quarterbacks

The highlight of Tuesday’s session with the team was talking with quarterbacks Bryce Baker and Ethan Grunkemeyer as they compete to lead the Hokies' offense this season. Both spoke about their time at their previous schools and how it has prepared them to take the reins this season. Obviously, for Grunkemeyer, that includes several starts against top-tier competition in the Big 10 like Ohio State and Indiana. For Baker, he says he was thankful to learn from some great football minds like Bill Belichick during his time in Chapel Hill. 

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Baker on his time at UNC with Chapel Bill:

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Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer on his “trial by fire” last season after being thrust into the starting role:

With April upon us and the Spring Game now on the horizon and several more scrimmages to come, the Hokies' roster is starting to take some shape. Be sure to follow Sons of Saturday on every platform to keep up with the latest from Blacksburg as we inch closer to week one.