Beau Pribula is a name to watch for the Hokies.
The Virginia Tech Hokies will have a new quarterback in 2026. In fact, Virginia Tech’s entire quarterback room could look different once the transfer portal opens in January. While the portal can’t open until January, players can reveal their intent to enter the portal.
On Wednesday, Virginia Tech quarterback Garret Rangel became the first Hokie since new coach James Franklin arrived to reveal his intention to enter the transfer portal. Rangel transferred to Virginia Tech ahead of last season from Oklahoma State, but did not play a snap. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
It’s no secret that the Hokies must upgrade the most important position. Tech added a commitment from Troy Huhn in the 2026 recruiting class. Kyron Drones played his last snap for the Hokies in the loss at Virginia. That makes most Virginia Tech fans happy. Drones’ play was a source of frustration over the last two years, after a promising debut in 2023.
Several quarterbacks have already declared their intentions to transfer. Sam Leavitt of Arizona State looks to be the most prominent. Leavitt is expected to have suitors such as Oregon, LSU, Indiana, Miami and Texas Tech, among others. He will not be an option for the Hokies. Colton Joseph from ODU will also enter the portal. Hokie fans got a good look at Joseph in September, and Franklin could get a personal scouting report from ODU coach Ricky Rahne, his former offensive coordinator at Penn State.
However, on Thursday, Pete Nakos of On3 revealed that Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula is entering the transfer portal.
This is a name Virginia Tech fans should know. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Pribula is a native of York, Pennsylvania, and began his college career at Penn State. A four-star signee from Central Catholic High School, Pribula spent three seasons in Happy Valley — all under James Franklin. He played last season at Missouri and has one season of eligibility remaining.
While a number of teams could pursue Pribula aggressively, three stand out: Virginia Tech, Washington State, and a return to the Nittany Lions. The Hokies make sense due to his relationship with Franklin. Washington State’s new head coach, Kirby Moore, was Pribula’s offensive coordinator at Missouri last season. Penn State is reportedly interested in a reunion.
Hokie fans will see Pribula’s stats and ask: “If we have money, why are we going after his guy?” Fair question. After redshirting in 2022, Pribula played in a total of 24 games for the Nittany Lions over two years, completing 37 of 56 passes (66%) for 424 yards, with nine touchdowns and one interception. He rushed for 571 yards (6.1 ypc) and 10 touchdowns.
Yes, Pribula is a dual-threat quarterback.
Last season at Missouri, Pribula appeared in 10 games, completing 67% of his passes for 1,941 yards, with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He rushed for 297 yards and six touchdowns. Pribula suffered a dislocated ankle during the season, missing only two full games.
There’s a lot to like about Pribula. He’s an upgrade as a passer over Drones. How much? Some of his numbers could be attributed to Missouri’s struggles in pass protection last season. Pribula would be a solid option, but Franklin should take two quarterbacks from the portal to compete with the remaining quarterbacks.
William “Pop” Watson (two years of eligibility remaining) and two true freshmen (A.J. Brand and Kelden Ryan) are Tech’s current rostered quarterbacks, not named Rangel or Drones.
It’s unknown who Franklin will target next month, but Pribula is a good bet to watch.
Category: General Sports
