College football analyst gives Virginia Tech fans a reason to be excited

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

Joel Klatt is a former college starting quarterback. After beginning his career as a walk-on at the University of Colorado, Klatt would go on to be a three-year starter for the Buffaloes, breaking numerous school records. After his college career ended, Klatt tried out for two NFL teams before eventually turning to a media career.

Over the course of the past 15-20 years, Klatt has done it all, from being a game analyst, studio analyst, and radio show host to his own podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show.” Klatt’s podcast is one of the most popular sports podcasts.

Recently, Klatt discussed the 2026 Virginia Tech Hokies and head coach James Franklin. He believes Franklin and Virginia Tech are a perfect pairing. Klatt said Franklin “will raise the level of Virginia Tech.” He also praised Franklin’s retention of former head coach Brent Pry as the defensive coordinator.

Then, Klatt said something that should excite Hokie fans everywhere. It’s about projected starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.

“Grunkemeyer played really well against Indiana, the undefeated national champ,” Klatt said. “And Penn State had them dead to rights in that game before Mendoza and Cooper go down the field and break Gus’ (Johnson) vocal cords. But Grunkemeyer played really well, and after the game, I’m texting with Bryant Haines, in preparation for some of the future games. Bryant Haines, the defensive coordinator at Indiana, and I was like, ‘Man, credit that offensive line, they ran the ball well.’ And he texted back, ‘I was so impressed by their quarterback.’ And Grunkemeyer was obviously playing for (Drew) Allar at the time. And now he’s leaving, and he’s going to follow James Franklin down to Virginia Tech. I got to tell you, I think the guy I respect, one of the two or three defensive coordinators I respect the most in college football, one of those would be Bryant Haines from Indiana. When he tells me that guy is unbelievable, and he was hard to stop, that tells you something. So, Virginia Tech, stock up.”

Haines would have had no reason to praise Grunkemeyer. And Klatt certainly didn’t need to re-tell the story unless he genuinely believed Grunkemeyer can be a difference-maker for the Hokies.

This should excite everybody for multiple reasons. When was the last time Virginia Tech had a quarterback the opposition feared? When, as a fan, did Hokie Nation have the confidence in a quarterback to drop back on third-and-7 and convert? One of the most respected defensive coordinators in college football brought up Grunkemeyer unprompted. That’s something else Virginia Tech hasn’t had: a quarterback that defenses respected.

The start of the 2026 college football season is less than two weeks away, when the Hokies host VMI.

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