Photos by Jon Fleming
Fall camp is officially underway, and one position to watch closely heading into the 2024 season is quarterback. Under the direction of quarterback coaches Tyler Bowen and Brian Crist, the quarterback room has been making significant strides, with new additions adding valuable depth to the roster. With seasoned quarterback Kyron Drones leading the charge, let’s take a closer look at all the pieces and what they bring to the table.
Drones made a strong impact in his first season with the Hokies, appearing in all 13 games and making his debut as the starting quarterback in week three against Rutgers. The signal-caller has firmly established himself as the starter, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities by amassing 2,085 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 234 pounds, the redshirt junior’s size and athleticism make him a formidable force in the run game. He finished the season with 818 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, setting a Military Bowl record with 176 rushing yards, which earned him MVP accolades.
The Pearland, Texas native has cemented his reputation as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks across the conference. According to 247Sports, Drones is ranked as the fifth-best quarterback in the ACC and the fourth-most dynamic quarterback overall heading into the 2024 season. His full season of production has positioned him as an influential player to watch as the Hokies prepare for the upcoming campaign.
An under-the-radar battle for the Hokies this fall camp is determining who will be slotted into the QB2 spot. The quarterback room features returners William “Pop” Watson III, Jackson Sigler and Ben Locklear, alongside new additions, UCLA transfer Collin Schlee and true freshman Davi Belfort, ranked as the nation’s No. 7 dual-threat quarterback by Rivals.
Heading into his second season as a redshirt freshman, Watson showed flashes in the spring game after appearing in two games last season. The Springfield, Massachusetts native’s potential is evident from his high school accolades, including being named the 40th best quarterback in his class by the 247Sports Composite and the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year in 2022. With his impressive athleticism and development under the QB staff, Watson is a strong contender for more appearances this season.
Schlee, the recent transfer from UCLA, brings veteran experience and a reputation as a running quarterback. The redshirt senior appeared in seven games for the Bruins last season, rushing for 425 yards and passing for 217. Schlee’s standout performance came in the Starco Brands LA Bowl, where he completed 11 passes, including two touchdowns and rushed for a season-best 127 yards on seven carries in a 35-22 victory over Boise State. The former Bruin’s dynamic rushing abilities are similar to the playing styles of both Drones and Watson, making him a notable player in the Hokies’ quarterback competition.
Belfort, Sigler and Locklear are expected to benefit significantly from the competition and mentorship within the quarterback room, adding depth and versatility to the roster.
Virginia Tech Athletics
