Virginia Tech may have found its quarterback for 2026, and the early ACC rankings already give Ethan Grunkemeyer a spot in the conversation.
Andy Staples of On3 placed Grunkemeyer at No. 8 in his top 10 ACC quarterbacks for 2026, slotting the Virginia Tech starter into a group that includes some of the league’s most intriguing passers. The Hokies brought Grunkemeyer in this offseason after he transferred from Penn State, following James Franklin, Ty Howle and Danny O’Brien to Blacksburg.
Grunkemeyer’s path to Virginia Tech was shaped by a difficult stretch at Penn State. After redshirting his first season, he was pushed into action when Drew Allar was injured last year. He stepped into a rough spot and handled it well enough to help Penn State recover after a 3-6 start and reach bowl eligibility after Franklin’s firing.
Staples pointed to that run when explaining the ranking.
“Ethan Grunkemeyer was tossed into a tough situation last season at Penn State when he replaced an injured Allar just as coach James Franklin was getting fired.
His first three starts as a redshirt freshman? Against Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana. By the Indiana game, Grunkemeyer looked comfortable, and he was quite efficient in wins against Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers and Clemson to close the season.
Grunkemeyer followed Franklin to Blacksburg, where he’ll once again work with former Penn State assistants Danny O’Brien (quarterbacks) and Ty Howle (offensive coordinator). He should be immediately comfortable, and he should take comfort in the fact that Virginia Tech’s schedule contains nothing as difficult as that initial gauntlet.”
At the top of Staples’ list was Darian Mensah of Miami, followed by Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele of Cal, Kevin Jennings of SMU, C.J. Bailey of NC State, Mason Heintschel of Pitt, Lincoln Kienholz of Louisville, Steve Angeli of Syracuse, Grunkemeyer, Christopher Vizzina of Clemson and Beau Pribula of Virginia.
It’s a strong collection of quarterbacks, and Staples’ order reflects just how crowded the ACC picture looks heading into 2026. Mensah is still in the league after leading Duke to the ACC Championship last season before transferring to Miami at the last minute.
Sagapolutele could wind up near the top by season’s end. Jennings brings dual-threat ability, and Bailey is described as a gifted pocket passer.
Grunkemeyer could absolutely climb from No. 8.
Virginia Tech believes it has a quarterback with real upside, and he still has three seasons of eligibility left. Rankings are only a snapshot anyway.
If Grunkemeyer turns that potential into wins, his standing will rise fast.
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