The First Bank & Trust Friday Q&A: Pass Protection, Analysts, And More

Chris Coleman

Lead Analyst and Columnist

August 21, 2026 12

Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer brings natural passing skills to the table. (Jon Fleming)

1) Is it fair to compare previous offensive line play under a quarterback like Kyron Drones, who was inconsistent, to offensive line play with a quarterback like Ethan Grunkemeyer? And with a good receiving corps that a consistent QB can trust? Will the threat of a good run game, coupled with a consistent QB with better timing and better receivers, make the line better? — 133090Hokie

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12 Comments

vtgriff09 August 24, 2026 at 12:03 PM

The coaches have mentioned a couple of the questions so far. Moore said that the OL is never as bad as they are given credit for and never as good as they are given credit for. He mentioned that last yr he had a QB that held the ball longer and it made the OL look bad and in the spring Grunk had been getting rid of the ball quickly and it may appear the OL is actually better than they might be. Also, CJF said that the 5 for 5 may work against a program that develops because it could change the expectations of in-coming freshmen to play sooner instead of buying into the developmental track. It felt more like a pondering of it than a statement, but I don't think it will change his conversations and philosophy. PSU fans criticized him for being overly loyal with distributing money to players and playing veterans ahead of talent..but it is good to have 2 people in charge of that mess now. That has to be the worst part, and the most learn on the fly part is navigating how money is distributed without locker room issues
reconhokie August 23, 2026 at 12:55 PM

So Drones needed glasses. Makes sense.
SarahVTHokie24 August 22, 2026 at 12:27 PM

Good stuff. Thanks
133119Hokie August 22, 2026 at 9:15 AM

Chris, how do you think the 5-5 rule could help sports like softball, wrestling, basketball, etc...
1. Chris Coleman August 24, 2026 at 10:08 AM
  
  It's the same for everybody, so I doubt it really moves the needle.
spudman August 21, 2026 at 9:19 PM

way too much staff
1. GodfatherHokie August 21, 2026 at 10:14 PM
  
  Why?
2. middletennhokie August 22, 2026 at 5:04 PM
  
  Based on....?
  1. spudman August 22, 2026 at 8:10 PM
    
    too many cooks in the kitchen
Hanover Hokie August 21, 2026 at 3:10 PM

I do think the 5 for 5 rule while have some impact on the number of freshman that will play. In the past you had to always worry about the 4 game rule to preserve the redshirt. You might want to play someone to get them experience (maybe even in garbage time) but you had to factor in saving some of the 4 games in case injuries later in the season required you to play them. Now with no risk of losing a year of eligibility you might play a freshmen early that is 4th on the depth chart if you reasonable believe they could pass the more experienced no 3 by mid-season. An injury could thrust that freshman into the 2 deep and perhaps help you win a game in the back half of the season. For example, could Mickens conceivably pass Bill Davis by mid-season? Could Fat Rat be your no 5 or 6 receiver by Mid-season? If so, then maybe you give much stronger consideration to playing them since they don't lose a year.
Freddyburg Hokie August 21, 2026 at 3:04 PM

Lafonte Thourogood was an interesting name to see on the Tech staff. IIRC, he was a Tech decommit at QB who headed to Vanderbilt and other places after that.
Matthew-Shaughnessy August 21, 2026 at 1:07 PM

If these analysts can do anything close to what we heard Jerry Kill was up to, I’m all for it.

The First Bank & Trust Friday Q&A: Pass Protection, Analysts, And More

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