Photo Credit: Dave Knachel/Virginia Tech Athletics
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente announced today that QB Quincy Patterson and WR Darryle Simmons have both decided to enter the transfer portal with Patterson later putting out a tweet confirming his decision. Additionally, Fuente confirmed that WR Elijah Bowick has also entered the transfer portal.
Justin Fuente says QB Quincy Patterson is planning to enter the transfer portal. Said he got hit on the thumb last week at Pitt might not have been able to play anyway.
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) November 30, 2020
Also says WR Darryle Simmons has decided to transfer. Said he might go the I-AA route. #Hokies
“In their hearts human plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” ♥️
— Quincy Patterson II (@quincy_qb1) November 30, 2020
Proverbs 16:9 pic.twitter.com/nNYr5O33lD
Patterson's departure is probably most notable as he was a year younger and in theory, in line to be the clear QB for VT down the road for sure after the graduations of Hendon Hooker and Braxton Burmeister though that may not be till 2023. With that, it's not surprising to see Patterson move on looking for a starting opportunity which he should definitely be able to find as someone who has proven he is a Power 5 caliber starting QB that was stuck behind lots of talent.
However, it still is disappointing for Tech to lose a guy like Patterson but it's hard to blame him for looking for a starting opportunity sooner. With that in mind, it wouldn't be surprising if Tech maybe looks to add another QB via the transfer portal to bridge the age gap between Hooker and Burmeister, and Knox Kadum and Tahj Bullock.
In the short term, Burmeister becomes the clear backup to Hendon Hooker while Knox Kadum becomes the third guy for Tech as their QB depth chart starts to slim down a little.
Darryle Simmons never really seemed to be able to find a spot in Virginia Tech and wasn't able to climb up the depth chart, even as Tech had need for bigger receivers to pair with Tre Turner and Tayvion Robinson. Simmons is plenty talent and could do well at the FCS level, but his departure does open up a scholarship which could be used to target a JUCO receiver.
One name to potentially watch is UCF commit Kaedin Robinson who the Hokies have continued to pursued even since his late summer commitment to the Golden Knights.
With Simmons and Elijah Bowick gone, freshman wide receivers Dallan Wright and Tyree Saunders both could slide into a backup role after current backups Changa Hodge and Evan Fairs.
Additionally, Tech could also use these scholarships both for this cycle or save them for the next one to create some more flexibility especially with the NCAA not providing scholarship limit relief beyond the current 2021 cycle.
