James Franklin is back in the saddle, and this time he’s steering the Virginia Tech Hokies. After his midseason exit from Penn State, Franklin didn’t stay on the sidelines for long. Now, he’s tasked with rebooting a program that’s hungry for stability-and it all starts under center.
Quarterback may not be the only piece of the puzzle, but let’s be honest: it’s a pretty big one. And Franklin knows it.
His next move could very well come from a familiar place-his old stomping grounds in State College. The transfer portal is open for business, and Franklin’s connections to Penn State could give Virginia Tech a leg up in the QB market.
One name that’s already on the move is Beau Pribula, who’s heading out of Missouri. He’s a known commodity and certainly an option. But there’s another name that’s drawing attention-Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Grunkemeyer is still with Penn State for now, preparing for the Nittany Lions' Pinstripe Bowl matchup against Clemson. But his future beyond that game? That’s still up in the air.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Franklin recently brought in Ty Howle to coordinate the offense and Danny O’Brien to coach quarterbacks-two guys who were just working with Grunkemeyer at Penn State. That kind of familiarity matters. If Grunkemeyer decides to explore his options, Virginia Tech offers a soft landing spot with familiar faces and a coach who already knows what he brings to the table.
Of course, a lot depends on what Penn State’s new head coach, Matt Campbell, decides. If Campbell sees Grunkemeyer as part of the future in Happy Valley, and if Grunkemeyer feels like he’s in the right spot, he could stay put. But if he’s unsure of his role, or if he’s looking for a fresh start, Blacksburg makes a lot of sense.
Franklin’s rebuild at Virginia Tech won’t hinge on one player-but landing the right quarterback could accelerate the process. And if that quarterback happens to already know the playbook and the staff? That’s a head start no coach would pass up.