⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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.

- 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.

- 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 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.

- 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.