Hokies name PSU transfer Grunkemeyer top QB
Andrea AdelsonAug 31, 2026, 12:40 PM ET
- ACC reporter.
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
- Graduate of the University of Florida.
James Franklin officially named Ethan Grunkemeyer the Virginia Tech starting quarterback on Monday as the Hokies prepare to open the season against VMI.
The move was widely expected after Grunkemeyer followed Franklin to Virginia Tech from Penn State. Grunkemeyer started the final seven games for the Nittany Lions last season after Drew Allar got hurt, winning his final four games. In 11 total appearances, Grunkemeyer threw for 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns and added one touchdown rushing.
Franklin was fired midway through the season last year at Penn State and ultimately took the Virginia Tech job last November. In discussing Grunkemeyer at his weekly press conference in Blacksburg, Virginia , Franklin said the quarterback had led the quarterback competition over the last few weeks.
"I think he has his teammates' respect. I think there's a level of consistency and maturity."
Franklin said the backup quarterback job remains an open competition.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.