BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech’s four healthy quarterbacks spent the open portion of Tuesday’s practice under the watchful eye of Kyron Drones. Drones watched how each quarterback went through drills and offered feedback whenever it was needed.

The graduate student is spending the final few spring practices as a spectator in hopes he will be fully healthy for the upcoming season.

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry detailed his decision to shut down Drones for the remainder of spring practice on Tuesday. Pry said Tech reached out to experts and specialists for advice on how to proceed with Drones’ injury after the quarterback was a full participant during the winter workouts and through the first two weeks of spring practice.

The goal in those discussions was to find the path that ensured Drones had the best chance to remain healthy over the course of a 12-game season.

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“We decided to shut him down and we’ll see if we can’t help him be 100% for the entirety” of the upcoming season, Pry said. “We need him through the summer. We need him through camp. We need him all season long. As tough as Kyron is, one of his greatest strengths is being able to run the ball and do things and we need him 100%. He deserves that. So this is the right thing.”

Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones walks on the sideline prior to the start of the 2024 regular-season finale against Virginia at Lane Stadium. Drones did not play in the Hokies' final three games last season and is out for the remainder of spring practice.

Pry did not specify the type of procedure Drones will have or the issue that led to Drones needing to be shut down for the remainder of spring practice.

The Hokies coach revealed after the regular season concluded in December that Drones dealt with a stress fracture, an MCL injury and a turf toe over the second half of last season.

Drones wore a protective walking boot on his left foot and had a brace on his right knee when he didn’t play against Duke, Virginia and Minnesota at the close of last season.

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“I’ve said enough on it. It’s personal for him,” Pry said. “But I’m going to tell you now, I’ve said it before, he had a great winter … Looked great. But we’re trying to be proactive. That’s probably the best way to say it. We’ve got good work. He got a good feel for the offense. He’s in a good place. It was the right thing to do.”

Pry said the timeline for Drones being fully back is “possibly early June, but by mid-June, he should be rocking and rolling at 100%.”

Drones’ work through two weeks in offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery’s scheme should allow him to pick up where he left off once he has been cleared to return to action.

Drones and Pop Watson alternated between the first- and second-string offenses over the first two weeks.

“That was part of it, right? He needed it,” Pry said. “He dove in with both feet and I think he did a good job of picking things up. Spent a lot of time in our building. I think he has a good feel for it, what he thinks, how he feels about the offense, I think he’d tell you he loves it and he’s excited for it.”

Watson has taken over as the top quarterback since Drones was shut down for the spring. Watson, a redshirt sophomore, is in his third spring with the Hokies and is the only other quarterback on the roster with college starts after getting the nod against UVa and Minnesota. He also played three quarters against Duke after Collin Schlee was injured.

“I thought Pop had his best day today. He’s had some moments throughout the spring, but he had his best moments today,” Pry said. “He’s grown in the offense, clearly. Got to get away from pressing too much, but he made a bunch of plays today.”

The quarterbacks were front and center during last weekend’s scrimmage and will again be the focal point for Saturday’s spring game at 3 p.m. inside Lane Stadium.

Watson and redshirt freshman Davi Belfort are expected to get the starts for their respective teams. True freshmen A.J. Brand and Kelden Ryan will get their first experience of playing in Lane Stadium with fans after playing in the stadium during last weekend's scrimmage.

“Those guys are still in an orange jersey, but it was a good experience for them,” Pry said. “Davi has run the ball well. Needs to throw the ball better. Make better decisions. The two young guys are still pretty green, but they both do certain things well. “

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