Former Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is expected to transfer to Virginia Tech, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Penn State quarterback transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer is expected to transfer to Virginia Tech, sources tell me and @chris_hummer.

Was a Class of 2024 top-100 overall recruit. Started the final seven games of the season for Penn State. pic.twitter.com/36QnwMTs1J

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 5, 2026

Grunkemeyer, who started the final seven games of the 2025 season, was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 out of Lewis Center, Ohio. He was the No. 103 recruit and No. 8 quarterback in the nation, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings, and was also an Elite 11 Finalist.

He redshirted his freshman season in 2024 as Penn State’s QB3 behind Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, making his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff First Round victory over SMU after Pribula transferred to Missouri. Grunkemeyer threw an interception in his debut.

He won the backup job for 2025, getting limited reps in non-conference play before being thrust into action on October 11 after Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Northwestern. James Franklin was fired the following day, and Grunkemeyer was thrust into the starting role ahead of a daunting schedule.

After starting off 0-3 at the helm with two close losses to Iowa and No. 2 Indiana, Grunkemeyer picked up his first win as a starter on the road against Michigan State. He progressively improved his play as the season progressed, winning each of his last four starts, including a 260-yard, two-touchdown performance against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.

In his brief tenure as a starter, Grunkemeyer became the program’s single-season completion percentage record holder, completing 69.1 percent of his passes. He had 1,339 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in 11 games with a rushing touchdown as well.

Grunkemeyer will not join James Franklin and the Hokies afer Penn State landed Iowa State star Rocco Becht in the transfer portal on Sunday. Jaxon Smolik and Bekkem Kritza have also entered their names into the portal.