Virginia Tech’s first week of fall camp has produced two kinds of surprises: the names popping up on the field, and the feel around the whole operation.
On the player side, a pair of young wideouts have stood out early. Luke Stuewe is not a total unknown.
The redshirt freshman - or, more accurately in the modern college football landscape, second-year player that's a sophomore in academics - has already spent a year in the program, and his frame at 6-foot-2 gives him a look that could fit nicely in the Hokies’ offense. The early buzz around him has been steady, with his name coming up more than once among the young players making an impression.
That said, Stuewe is entering a room with plenty of competition. Virginia Tech has veteran pieces near the top of the depth chart, including Ayden Greene and Que'Sean Brown, both expected to play major roles. There are also seasoned options behind them, so nothing is being handed out here.
Davion “FatRat” Brown is a different kind of early storyline. The true freshman showed up in Blacksburg with real upside, but freshmen usually have to earn their way into the conversation.
His name continuing to surface this early in camp matters. If Brown can carve out a spot in the rotation and give offensive coordinator Ty Howle another explosive weapon, that would be a major plus for the Hokies.
The other surprise is harder to quantify, but maybe just as important: the energy. Practices have carried a clear physical edge, with players competing hard and the tempo staying high from start to finish. That kind of thing doesn’t show up in a box score, but it’s not something you miss if you’re around the team.
Head coach James Franklin has been talking about culture change and a different standard, and in his own words, he’s not the same James Franklin. Early on, Virginia Tech looks like a team playing with purpose. There’s a difference between being lively and being truly competitive, but the first week has at least suggested the Hokies have brought a new edge.
Virginia Tech went 3-9 last season, and Franklin was brought in to get the program moving again. One week of August practices won’t tell anyone whether the Hokies are headed for six wins, eight wins or more, but the tone of camp is worth watching.
They don’t look like a team sleepwalking through August. They look like one with a little fire.
In Other News...
Virginia Tech May Have Two Defensive Difference Makers Fans Need To See
Bruce Feldmans annual Freaks List always offers a useful snapshot of which college football players are drawing real offseason buzz, and Virginia Tech has two defenders making a strong case for attention heading into 2026. Senior defensive tackle Kemari Copeland and senior linebacker Kaleb Spencer both landed on the preview of the top 101 athletes in the sport, a sign that the Hokies may have more than one high-end piece anchoring Brent Prys defense.
Copelands rise has been especially eye-catching after he set a program bench press record and turned in elite testing numbers this offseason, the kind of profile that tends to translate to interior disruption if it carries onto the field. Spencer also earned his spot on the list at No. 83, and with his physical tools and another year in Prys system, Virginia Tech has reason to think the middle of the defense could be a real strength rather than just a work in progress. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Fall Camp Is Starting To Separate A Few Hokies
Virginia Techs third media-viewed practice on Aug. 13 offered another look at how fall camp is starting to sort itself out, and the most revealing work came in the one-on-one periods between the receivers and defensive backs. Jaquez White and Thomas Williams stood out on the defensive side with multiple pass break-ups, while Luke Reynolds and QueSean Brown were among the offensive players to make notable catches as the competition sharpened.
There was also movement in the backfield, where Marcellous Hawkins worked with the first team at running back, a small but meaningful sign as the Hokies keep sorting through roles. Elsewhere, the day brought a few absences from the field, including Emmett Laws and Gabe Williams, leaving more to watch as camp continues to separate players from the pack. [Read more 🡒]