When Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones announced last December that he was returning to Blacksburg for another year, it was a big decision for the program. They were getting back a quarterback who had his breakout season in the final eight games of the season, and you could tell the former Baylor transfer was just getting his start.

Drones spent the offseason training with Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, two of the best signal-callers in the country. On Thursday, the preseason watch list was released along with 34 other quarterbacks, eight of them from the ACC, for the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s top college quarterback. A midseason watch list will be released in mid-October.

Drones is coming off a stellar first full season in Blacksburg, rushing for 2,084 yards, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Not only did he do damage with his arm, but he also developed into a strong quarterback running the ball. At 6’2″ and 235 pounds, he was difficult for defenders to bring down in the open field and often gained a lot of yards after first contact. He rushed for 818 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and formed a strong running duo with Bhayshul Tuten, who also returns in 2024.

Drones wasn’t the starter at the start of the 2023 season as that went to veteran Grant Wells, but an injury in Week 2 at home against Purdue opened the door for Drones and he took full advantage. After struggling in his first two games at Rutgers and Marshall, he led the Hokies to a 5-3 ACC record and got them bowl-eligible with a win over Virginia on Thanksgiving weekend. With most of the offensive linemen back this season, Drones and his teammates could put up plenty of big numbers as the season progresses.