Two Deep | The Longest-Running Hokies Podcast · Pete B. & Sam Jessee | Sons of Saturday

Spring Practice Updates - Franklin on the QB Battle, Offense - Brent Pry Talks Defense

April 7, 2026·1 hr 31 min·7 clips

A Virginia Tech coach declares he'll pour his heart into the program, calling it a big-time place, not 'some rinky-dink-ass program.'

1. Two Deep covers Virginia Tech's second spring practice update with a focus on the QB room, skill positions, and ongoing positional competition under James Franklin's staff. 2. Hosts Pete B and Sam Jesse open with the NCAA basketball national championship — UConn vs. Michigan — before pivoting to football. 3. The episode's central argument is that the talent influx from the recruiting class and portal has raised Virginia Tech's floor significantly, though ceiling improvement is concentrated at quarterback. 4. Offensive coordinator Ty Hal has moved to the booth during spring practice, which Pete reads as a sign that communication and operational comfort have advanced quickly for a staff that is new to Tech. 5. Franklin emphasized wanting 'a three deep' across positions, describing competition across the roster as more intense than what was inherited, though he wasn't present to compare to last spring. 6. Quarterback Troy Hoon, a true freshman, went 18-for-20 passing in a scrimmage when Grunkemeier was sick, splitting reps primarily with Baker rather than three ways. 7. Grunkemeier is the clear frontrunner at QB1; Franklin has used coach-speak about keeping the competition alive, which Pete attributes partly to preventing portal departures before fall camp. 8. Sam argues Baker may have better natural arm talent than Grunkemeier, while Pete notes Grunkemeier's accuracy and a 'Matt Stafford sidearm' misdirection element that has been observed on practice video. 9. Jeff Overton is separating himself at running back; Franklin said publicly he is 'quick, smart, tough, elusive, and a receiving threat' and projects to play at 210 pounds this fall. 10. Marcellus Hawkins remains limited but positive; Pete argues keeping Hawkins healthy through spring rather than forcing reps is the right approach given how much they know about him. 11. Wide receiver drops remain a concern — Franklin reportedly made the unit repeat a drill mid-practice after multiple drops in a single session. 12. Pete uses Cal's 2024 season as a cautionary parallel: a good quarterback and decent defense still lost games due to receiver drops, and Cal responded by clearing the room in the portal. 13. True freshman Luke Stewie, from Avon Lake, Ohio, has become one of the more reliable options in the receiver room, with Pete noting the tradition of structured, high-level prep programs in northeast Ohio. 14. Tight end Luke Reynolds has received multiple positive reports; Kolby Crawford described him as 'basically another wide receiver' due to his speed and route-running in practice. 15. Takai Heath is mentioned as the slot candidate but flagged for blocking deficiencies last season that made opposing defenses easier to set against Virginia Tech. 16. Both hosts note that Brent Pry's media availability was unusually detailed and substantive — a contrast to prior years — with specific commentary on individual defensive position battles. 17. Pry quoted in media that defensive backs are conceding throws they expect to be incomplete, and the quarterbacks are completing them; hosts debate whether this reflects QB arm talent or DB closing speed. 18. The episode is conversational and detailed, mixing direct quotes from coaches with analytical frameworks drawn from other college programs. 19. Virginia Tech football fans who want a granular, insider breakdown of spring practice position battles and depth chart movement. 20. Casual sports fans with no connection to Virginia Tech who are uninterested in spring practice analysis and position group updates.

As heard by us

Roster-first Hokies talk that treats receiver depth as the problem.

Brent Pry opens with a direct, no-nonsense defense of Virginia Tech, and the segment never really lets go of that tone. It keeps circling the receiver room, where sure hands, nagging injury questions, and a thin depth chart do most of the talking.

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Why you'd press play

If you want the Hokies wide receiver room without the fluff, start here.

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