Virginia Tech football: Ethan Grunkemeyer’s time at Penn State prepared him for starting role

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Virginia Tech Hokies feel good about the quarterback position heading into the season. Redshirt sophomore Ethan Grunkemeyer is the expected starting quarterback after following head coach James Franklin and Ty Howle to Blacksburg from Penn State.

Redshirt freshman Bryce Baker is the projected backup — one year after committing to North Carolina as a four-star prospect. Four-star freshman Troy Huhn had an impressive spring after enrolling in January. The Hokies also have redshirt freshman Kelden Ryan, one of their top recruits from a year ago.

It’s a deep group, and the Hokies feel like anyone could play.

Franklin hasn’t named his starting quarterback yet. That’s by design. Everyone knows it’s Grunkemeyer. The 6-foot-2, 213-pound Ohio native didn’t follow Franklin to be the backup quarterback. He’s the guy. He knows it, and so do his teammates. Franklin likes to say there’s a competition at every position. For the most part, he means it. Franklin wants to ensure that every player earns every rep.

Grunkemeyer began the 2025 season as Drew Allar’s backup. Allar was once expected to be an NFL first-round pick. He struggled last season before an injury ended his season and Penn State career. The Nittany Lions were 3-3 when Grunkemeyer entered the lineup. Allar was injured, and Franklin was fired. Penn State would lose its first three starts with Grunkemeyer under center.

Two of Grunkemeyer’s first three starts were against Ohio State and Indiana. He played reasonably well, but the Nittany Lions dropped all three, falling to 3-6.

Then, Grunkemeyer led PSU to three consecutive wins, helping the Nittany Lions finish 6-6 and become bowl-eligible. Penn State then faced Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl. He completed 23 of 34 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in a 22-10 win.

Now, the Hokies hope Grunkemeyer can lead them to a win over Clemson in a Virginia Tech uniform.

He’s ready.

“I would say one thing is the leadership aspect of it,” Grunkemeyer said regarding how his time at Penn State has prepared him. “Had to lead through a tough situation. Some stuff that may have popped up that you didn’t know when you weren’t playing that may be tough. How you see something, having that knowledge going into it a year. I feel like having that experience has really helped me grow as a player, and in practice, being able to take game reps and kind of treat every practice rep like a game rep.”

Grunkemeyer has taken on a leadership role. He’s one of several Hokies considered leaders. Not all starting quarterbacks are meant to be team leaders. Sometimes, it’s just assumed because of the position. Grunkemeyer seems built for it, which is great news for the Hokies.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos