The Virginia Tech Hokies finally have depth and upside at the quarterback position. After seemingly years of uncertainty about the game’s most important position, new head coach James Franklin attacked the position hard this offseason. Presumed starter Ethan Grunkemeyer started seven games for Penn State last season and was one of the most prized players in the transfer portal.
Next, you have redshirt freshman Bryce Baker. A four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Baker committed to North
Carolina. After one season in Chapel Hill, Baker transferred to the Hokies, where he had a prior relationship with Franklin and the new quarterbacks coach, Danny O’Brien. Then you have redshirt freshman Kelden Ryan, a prized pickup in 2025 for the Hokies. Finally, there is true freshman Troy Huhn.
Huhn had been committed to Penn State and Franklin for a year and a half before decommitting and pledging to the Hokies after Franklin’s hiring. However, not much was expected from the 6-foot-4, 222-pound California native.
Well, according to Franklin, Huhn put on a show in last weekend’s intrasquad scrimmage, throwing four touchdown passes. Franklin called Huhn’s performance “unbelievable.”
“He kinda had an unbelievable scrimmage on Saturday, statistically,” Franklin said of the true freshman passer. “I think he threw four touchdowns and was very efficient. He had one interception. But he played really, really well. Played really well. He’s very calm, he’s very poised, he’s very smart. He works at it. He’s wired the right way. I’ve been very impressed with him.”
When asked to name any other players who stood out, Franklin circled back to Huhn.
“Troy was probably the big one that really stood out in the scrimmage. He had a really good scrimmage. He’s probably the one that jumped out the most.”
That’s extremely encouraging. Franklin doesn’t just hand out praise this early if it’s not warranted. Sure, it was just a scrimmage, but he didn’t name the other quarterbacks.
No, this doesn’t mean Huhn will play as a freshman. Odds are, he’s a redshirt candidate. But for years, Virginia Tech fans knew the season was over if the backup had to play, much less a third-string quarterback. Franklin’s strategy is to ensure that the Hokies are set up for success from the top of the depth chart to the bottom.
It will be interesting to follow Huhn’s progress throughout the rest of spring practice and particularly at the spring game in just over two weeks.
