⚡ CFB Dashboard

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

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

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

- 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.