Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones is hoping for a strong senior season. (Jon Fleming)
The 2025 season will hopefully be a redemption year for Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones. After breaking out in 2023, he dropped back down to earth in 2024 for a variety of reasons. He suffered a triumvirate of injuries and also admitted to playing “hero ball” and trying to do too much early in the season, which impacted his numbers and the team’s success.
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Chris, you pretty much doused the fire I built for the season! ?Just joking! I think your analysis is spot on. As a bench warmer, I’ve never been too high on Drones, but by all accounts, he’s a great individual. I think he’s too 1-dimensional, i.e., being a solid runner (leading to injuries) with a strong inaccurate arm. I don’t think you can build a winning team when all you hear is Drones, Drones, Drones. I hope he & Montgomery prove me wrong this season and (at least) one of the running backs and receivers have a breakout season with the OL holding strong. A solid stud QB has been a weak link for the Hokies for a number of years.
HokieFanDC
Auburn was generally horrible in 2023.
Bluegrass_Hokie
I'm cautiously optimistic that Montgomery's experience with quarterbacks alone will lead to a better situation than what we had with Bowen. But I'm certainly not holding my breath. I worry that we've seen Drones' ceiling (2023) and floor (2024). If Montgomery can get Drones back in late 2023 form — or better — then I think VT can count that as a successful year 1 for Montgomery.
Go Hokies, Beat South Carolina!
atlhokie1
Interesting that despite the issues at Auburn in 2023, their record was slightly better than the following year with better QB play.
VTCC 65
Good job digging and well said. We will be watching
N2VT2
Do you think we could be successful with a four-year starter who completed 53.7%, 57.2%, 56.0% and 59.7%? 2002 was the only year between 2000-2010 when Tech completed over 60% and we won a lot of games that decade.
DoubleD`s
Trying to remain optimistic. Montgomery feels like a cross your fingers hire. Maybe it’s just the way the article reads. Maybe it’s what you get with a head coach that may not be here next year if things are more of the same. Kind of a bridge hire that may remain long term depending on season. Not gonna judge until I see how we react, respond and adjust on offense after the 1st 2 quarters. Something Bowen didn’t / couldn’t do until 5 games in
GO_HOKIES_GO
Seems like all the if’s and but’s are going to have to be candy and nuts if the Hokies are going to have a Merry Christmas in 2025. IMO, here are too many variables that have to align for all the new players in all three phases and the coaching staff to win 9-10 games. If key players stay healthy, if Pry has leaned how to be a HC, if Montgomery can channel 2016, if Siefkes can implement the NFL style defense, if Ferguson can build fast, strong, and tough players, if VT can beat USCe and Vandy, on and on….
RustyHokie94
We will need a starting QB via the portal next year.
sacramento hokie
Great article Chris but I have to laugh about the Peyton Thorne Auburn numbers… he is absolutely THE worst qb perhaps in Auburn football history - just ask ANY Auburn fan- so throw that one out..that being said Monty has to make it happen and this season.. with a talent like Drones I like his odds since he isn’t the head whistle
Warped Hokie 76
Initially it seemed like Pry was going to stay with Bowen after last season. Given the lackluster performances of our offense, particularly in the first half, I was disappointed with that. In addition to Marve, Bowen had done enough (or not enough) to warrant termination.
Then came the announcement that Bowen was leaving to be the O Line coach at Ohio State. Do we know if Pry ultimately decided he needed a new OC, or was told he did, and suggested to T Bow he seek other opportunities elsewhere?
The timing of Bowen’s decision to leave and his dropping back to an O Line position seemed odd.
1959kwhite
Chris, I appreciate your insights but wish you were less equivocating in some things. Obviously, the coaches aren't giving a lot of glimpses or info but think it's ok to just say what is in your heart and mind at times without worrying about repercussions, but maybe I am misinterpreting. Also, you kind of lobbed a bomb with "There are signs pointing to things going well, but there are also signs pointing to things going not-so-well. It’s one of the many unknown factors that Virginia Tech faces heading into the season"...can you explain more? Based on what exactly?
Not intended as criticism, just observations.
Spartacusjones
I think it's safe to assume that "Month" has a better grasp of the QB role than Bowen did. That should put the team a bit ahead of where it's been for the last couple of years. The big question is going to be what kind of offense does he craft for the players at hand and can he meke the I'm game adjustments that were so difficult for Bowen?
I've accepted that there's no way to know until the Hokies take the field against the Gamecocks. These next few weeks are going to be tough...
McHokie93
I can see Drones bouncing back to 2024 level of play with big plays and dynamic offense. He can challenge for ACC offense POY (finish in top three in votes) and lead VT to 9-3 record. Or not and we go 6-6 again.
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