​The Virginia Tech Hokies could boast one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks in 2026, thanks to the arrival of Ethan Grunkemeyer, who is slated to be Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback that year. Grunkemeyer joined the Hokies in the offseason, moving from Penn State where he followed mentors James Franklin, Ty Howle, and Danny O’Brien. After redshirting his first year, he was thrust into action when Penn State’s starter Drew Allar went down with an injury, and he delivered a solid performance despite the circumstances. When Penn State stumbled to a 3-6 start, Grunkemeyer helped spark a turnaround that kept the Nittany Lions bowl-eligible following Franklin’s departure. His mobility and pocket presence helped him navigate a chaotic transition into the lineup, and his showing against a difficult slate of opponents highlighted his potential.
Grunkemeyer was among the top quarterbacks available in this offseason’s transfer market, and he quickly became the Hokies’ primary target. The question then became: how does he stack up against the rest of the ACC quarterbacks for 2026? Andy Staples of On3 published his ranking of the conference’s top 10 quarterbacks for the upcoming season, placing Grunkemeyer at No. 8. Staples noted that the list features a strong slate of signal-callers and that Grunkemeyer brings a combination of arm talent and on-field poise to Blacksburg.
From his debut in a challenging environment at Penn State, Grunkemeyer faced a gauntlet of foes in his first three starts as a redshirt freshman—against Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. He grew into the role as the season progressed, showing efficiency and improved decision-making in victories over Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Clemson to close out the year. The move to Virginia Tech sets up a favorable transition path for Grunkemeyer, who will now work with a familiar coaching staff that includes former Penn State assistants Danny O’Brien, who will focus on quarterbacks, and Ty Howle, the Hokies’ offensive coordinator. The familiarity with these coaches should help him settle in quickly and excel.
Virginia Tech’s schedule should present a more favorable early environment for Grunkemeyer than the daunting stretch he faced at Penn State, which included some of the toughest defenses and offenses in college football. Staples’ ranking places Grunkemeyer among a respected group of ACC quarterbacks, including peers like C.J. Bailey of NC State at No. 4 and others who have flashed high ceilings in recent seasons. While the ranking is inherently subjective, the Hokies are confident in the potential of their quarterback room and Grunkemeyer’s ability to rise within it.
The Hokies’ confidence in Grunkemeyer stems not only from his proven resilience and improvement under pressure at Penn State but also from his athleticism and leadership. He carries additional motivation: Virginia Tech believes they have found a quarterback who can grow with the program over multiple seasons. Grunkemeyer has three years of eligibility remaining, giving him ample time to develop chemistry with Tech’s receiving corps and offensive line, and to refine a system that suits his skill set.
As with any quarterback ranking, the true measure will come on the field. If Grunkemeyer can translate his experiences from Penn State into Virginia Tech’s offense and help the Hokies win crucial conference games, he has every opportunity to climb higher than the current No. 8 position in Staples’ ACC rankings. The Hokies are optimistic that Grunkemeyer can illuminate a path to success in 2026, leveraging his readiness after a year of high-level competition and the stability of playing under a familiar staff. If he can harness that experience, he could become an ascending star in the ACC and a central figure in Virginia Tech’s competitive resurgence in the conference.