⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Pick/market: Not if they go 3 and out...

- Virginia Tech added former South Carolina safety DQ Smith, a veteran with more than 3,000 SEC snaps who missed only eight tackles last season. - Smith's eligibility remains tied to an unresolved court case, leaving both his availability and the speed of his integration into the defense uncertain.

- Virginia Tech is expected to lean on Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton Jr. in a run-heavy opener before rotating starters out if it builds an early lead over VMI. - Ethan Grunkemeyer will work with starting receivers Ayden Greene, Que'Sean Brown and Marlion Jackson in an expected conservative game plan that may feature multiple-tight-end formations. - Offensive-line cohesion is the primary concern after several weak seasons, with the VMI matchup serving as an initial test of run blocking and protection for Grunkemeyer. - Virginia Tech may open with a seven-player defensive-end rotation led by Aycen Stevens before narrowing the group by the third week of the season. - The defense's 2026 ceiling depends heavily on linebackers Spencer, Chambers and Wylie diagnosing VMI's option concepts and tackling reliably after recent struggles at the position.

- Injury: will Be interesting to see CJF’s philosophy on roster retention and turnover going into his second and third season here.

- QB: Thought it was a waste of a spot, but glad if he gets some action

- QB: Franklin and Howle got super creative with Tyler Warren taking snaps at times.

- QB/RB: every year we hear about how either a former QB turned WR/RB/TE or a backup QB will have some sort of package but it never gets used.

- Pick/market: I'll take a 4'4 QB if he plays like Pop is tonight Vic Hall

- QB: Someone from the admin should've leaned on Phil, ridiculous to play a qb who looks like he's trying to lose week after week over a guy who at least beat your in-state rival the...

- QB/LB: Not sure why we keep going back to the past when it will never change.

- QB: Three seasons trying to convert a dual threat QB into a pocket passer behind an Online that struggles in pass protection being coached by Online coaches that excel in run blocking schemes.

- QB: a QB who is more accurate than any previous QB we’ve had who gets the ball out half a second faster than Drones…

- QB/LB: Think he will be the #2 (and maybe even #3 to Reynolds).

- QB: One half of football isn't a fair eval, but if Pop plays like this the rest of the season he'll be starting for a P4 team next year.

- QB: Talked to my MD cousin tonight He’s not confident in their team

- QB: To the surprise of no one, Ethan Grunkemeyer was named the #Hokies' starting QB on Monday.

- QB/OL: Virginia Tech Names Ethan Grunkemeyer Its Starting Quarterback For VMI Opener As expected, Grunkemeyer is the #Hokies' guy, though the backup job is still undecided.

- QB: Franklin named Ethan Grunkemeyer as #Hokies starting QB for VMI, no backup named because it's too close to call.

- Virginia Tech named Justin Terry, Layth Ghannam, Kyle Altuner, Montavious Cunningham, and Aidan Lynch as its opening starting offensive line. - Offensive line coach Matt Moore said Virginia Tech's rebuilt line is physical and moving in the right direction but still has to mature because it lacks extensive game experience. - Aidan Lynch won the right tackle job after being forced into action last year, while Ohio State transfer Justin Terry brings athleticism but limited full-season starting experience at left tackle. - Brody Meadows, Logan Howland, and Lucas Austin give Virginia Tech tackle-guard flexibility, and Moore said 12 linemen in the two-deep are still battling. - Moore named Ben Eziuka as the most ready true freshman inside lineman and said center Kyle Altuner's relationship with starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer should help the offense.

- Intel: While true in a way, Franklin is using this as an excuse not to release a depth chart until the last minute.

- Captain Ethan Grunkemeyer is projected to start at quarterback for Virginia Tech over Bryce Baker after following James Franklin from Penn State, where he started the final seven games of 2025. - Marcellous Hawkins and Jeff Overton Jr. are expected to function as co-starting running backs, while Tyler Mason and freshman Messiah Mickens compete for reserve work with Bill Davis injured. - Ayden Greene and slot receiver Que'Sean Brown project as Virginia Tech's highest-volume targets, with Louisiana Tech transfer Marlion Jackson likely starting opposite Greene. - Luke Reynolds and Benji Gosnell give Virginia Tech two proven receiving tight ends, and Ty Howle's offense is expected to feature both in multiple-tight-end packages that attack the seams and provide outlets against pressure. - Virginia Tech's projected line has Kyle Altuner anchoring center, Justin Terry favored at left tackle because Logan Howland has battled injuries, and Aidan Lynch's rise at right tackle pushing Montavious Cunningham inside to guard.

- Virginia Tech is returning to an attacking four-man front, with Aycen Stevens and Penn State transfer Mylachi Williams projected to start at end and Javion Hilson available for clear pass-rush situations. - Kemari Copeland and Elhadj Fall form Virginia Tech's established starting defensive-tackle pair, with Randy Adirika, Eric Mensah and Gerard Johnson competing behind them. - Noah Chambers, converted safety Kaleb Spencer and Penn State transfer Keon Wylie project as Virginia Tech's starting linebackers, while the second-team roles remain less settled. - Jaquez White and Isaiah Brown-Murray project as the outside corners against VMI, with the expected reduction in nickel usage moving Brown-Murray outside for the opener. - Tyson Flowers and a healthy Quentin Reddish project to start at safety, while Brennan Johnson forced his way into the rotation with one of the strongest camps in the group.

- Virginia Tech's confirmed opening offensive line is Justin Terry, Layth Ghannam, Kyle Altuner, Montavious Cunningham and Aidan Lynch from left tackle to right tackle. - Aidan Lynch's strong final weeks of camp secured right tackle and allowed Cunningham to move inside to right guard, putting the staff's preferred five blockers on the field. - Virginia Tech wants to rotate six or seven linemen, using Cunningham at guard or tackle and Terry at tackle or guard so reserves are prepared before an injury forces them into action. - Johnny Garrett will miss an extended period, while Logan Howland and Brody Meadows are still returning from injuries but are expected to hold roles once available.

- LB: No depth chart today for the #Hokies, though Franklin says the team will put one out on game day.

- TE: Nothing is impossible against VMI and a TE heavy offense

- Virginia Tech's pass defense is framed as a team strength, with confidence in the secondary and cornerbacks driving a road-win projection. - The offense is expected to emphasize the run more under Clint Trickett, while restoring receiving production from the backfield remains an early-season question.

- WR: 9 WR Malachi Lee has top 12, one visit set and two others in works, from @BrianDohn247 @TheMalachiLee #Hokies

- DB: Virginia Tech Football Adds Transfer Defensive Back DQ Smith The news was first reported by 247Sports.

- Intel: Check out more info here: https:// hokiesports.com/football-gamed ay …

- Intel: The female line judge was beyond awful at times in both games.

- Intel: Unless we have a fumble or muff a punt, I don't think they cross midfield.

- Intel: Think the major line of storms have passed, if anything forms my guess it’s just spotty showers.

- Intel: Heard he’s not a huge fan of their portal emphasis.

- LB: Looks like there are some storms trying to make their way down to Blacksburg by the mid afternoon timeframe.

- Intel: It's Burning Man week, so my money is on a bunch of football bros heading to the desert.

- BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Athletics is making it easier than ever for Hokie fans to create unforgettable memories at Lane Stadium with the return of Maroon & Orange Memories for the 2026 football season. - Designed to bring fans closer to the action and make special moments even more meaningful, Maroon & Orange Memories offers a collection of unique gameday experiences that give Hokie Nation new ways to celebrate...

- Practice: Hokies Practice Report: On DQ Smith, George Ballance Getting No.

- Newcomer DQ Smith worked with Virginia Tech's safeties, but the staff expects him to need a couple of weeks before he is ready for a role in Brent Pry's defense, with his size also giving him potential linebacker versatility. - The observed first-team defensive group featured Aycen Stevens, Kemari Copeland, Elhadj Fall and Cortez Harris up front, Kaleb Spencer, Noah Chambers and Keon Wylie at linebacker, and Isaiah Brown-Murray, Jaquez White, Joshua Clarke, Tyson Flowers and Quentin Reddish in the secondary. - Virginia Tech prepared for VMI by having its scout team run the triple option during the media viewing window. - Ayden Greene, Queso Brown, Davion Brown and Marlion Jackson led the wide-receiver drill order, while Keylen Adams, Tyseer Denmark, Jeff Exinor Jr., Luke Stuewe, AJ Brand and Takye Heath also wore rotation-designating orange jerseys.

- Practice: @JacobMaggard6 was at the #Hokies' practice today as they prepare for VMI on Saturday.

- Intel: Bitter: 10 Things As Virginia Tech Finally Kicks Off The 2026 Season @AndyBitterVT discusses #Hokies football scheduling FCS opponents, adding late transfers, takeaways from Week 0 and more.

- The Cal matchup is viewed as Virginia Tech's pivotal swing game because its result could materially change the trajectory of the remaining schedule. - Virginia's prepared Week 0 performance suggests the rivalry game is more difficult than earlier win-total assumptions implied, while NC State's poor showing moved that matchup in the opposite direction.

- Intel: "Root for the #Hokies, Take the Keydets and the Points" by @joelestra https:// thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech- football/2026/08/26138/root-hokies-take-keydets-and-points …

- Intel: Virginia Tech Football Top Prospects: 2026 It's time for our annual article on the top prospects in Virginia Tech's football program.

- Intel: Great crowd last night to kickoff the first Tech Talk Live of the season!!

- Intel: Tech Talk Live Notes: Brian White, Bud Foster, James Franklin And Kemari Copeland With football's season opener vs.