Braxton Burmeister – Noteworthy
Less than a month after Virginia Tech’s quarterback room looked like it might feature just two players this offseason, the Hokies are back to being fully stocked at the position after adding Oregon transfer Braxton Burmeister on Saturday. Tech brings in Burmeister, a 6-foot-1, 204-pound native of La Jolla, Calif., to compete with returning starter Ryan Willis, Quincy Patterson, incoming freshman Knox Kadum and Hendon Hooker, who decided this week to exit the NCAA’s transfer portal about three weeks after entering it. A Tech athletic department spokesperson said there’s no determination yet on whether Burmeister will be eligible to play right away or if he’ll have to sit out a season, per NCAA transfer rules. There’s also no decision on whether Burmeister will apply for a hardship waiver. If Burmeister plays next season, he’ll be a redshirt sophomore. He’d be a redshirt junior at Tech if he has to wait until the 2020 season to play again. Burmeister played his first two college seasons at Oregon, but he redshirted after playing just four games last season as a backup. He started five games in 2016 as a true freshman. – Virginian-Pilot
Hendon Hooker – Noteworthy
Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker has decided to stay in Blacksburg. Hooker is the second Hokie this offseason to put his name in the NCAA’s new transfer portal, but decide not to leave the program. “I’d like to thank God for being with me through this process and helping me make the right decision,” Hooker said, in a social media post. “I am taking my name out of the transfer portal and I truly believe it’s best to continue my career as a Hokie.” The NCAA transfer portal allows other schools to contact a student-athlete interested in transferring, but doesn’t lock them into leaving.
Hooker rejoins a quarterback competition featuring returning starter Ryan Willis and Quincy Patterson. Fuente’s plan is for the three quarterbacks to compete and “see who the best guy is.” Incoming signee Knox Kadum will join the group this summer. “Put the ball down and go play,” Fuente said, of the competition. “See how it goes.” Hooker signed with Virginia Tech in 2017 as a highly-sought after dual threat 4-star recruit. The North Carolina native redshirted after enrolling early. Hooker didn’t attempt a pass last season, but did have a memorable 69-yard touchdown run against William and Mary in Week 2. – Roanoke Times