The preseason hype for Virginia Tech continues after junior quarterback Kyron Drones was named to the Davey O’Brien Award nominee list.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Drones is fresh off his first season at Virginia Tech, where he led the Hokies to five wins in their last seven games. Drones’ dual-threat ability made him one of the most dangerous weapons in college football.

The Texas native spent his first two seasons at Baylor before transferring to Virginia Tech in December 2022. He initially started last season as a backup to Grant Wells, but that didn’t last long. When Drones took over VT’s offense, the entire team improved. Drones’ ability to throw the ball long, run through defenders and pass past defenders gave the Hokies something they had been lacking up the middle for years.

Drones passed for 2,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also ran for 818 yards and five touchdowns. And he didn’t even play all 13 games.

The Davey O’Brien Award is named after the former TCU quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1938.

Drones is one of 36 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list. Here is the full list:

• Joey Aguilar, Appalachian State, Sr., Antioch, California.
• Drew Allar, Penn State, Jr., 6-5, 238, 6-3, 220
• Rocco Becht, Iowa State, Sun., 6-1, 205, Wesley Chapel, Fla.
• Carson Beck, Georgia, Sr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Florida.
• Byrum Brown, South Florida, Jr., 6-3, 209, Raleigh, NC
• Brady Cook, Missouri, Sr., 6-2, 215, St. Louis, Mo.
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas, Jr., 6-0, 220, Lawndale, California.
• Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, Sr., 6-2, 225, Kaysville, Utah
• Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech, Jr., 6-2, 234, Pearland, Texas
• Quinn Ewers, Texas, Jr., 6-2, 210, Southlake, Texas
• Noah Fifita, Arizona, Sun., 5-10, 188, Huntington Beach, Calif.
• TJ Finley, Western Kentucky, Jr., 6-7, 238, Ponchatoula, La.
• Dequan Finn, Baylor, Sr., 6-2, 206, Detroit, Michigan.
• Brett Gabbert, Miami (OH), Sr., 6-0, 210, St. Louis, Mo.
• Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, Sr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawaii
• Garrett Greene, West Virginia, Sr., 5-11, 201, Tallahassee, Florida.
• Seth Henigan, Memphis, Sr., 6-3, 215, Denton, Texas
• Will Howard, Ohio State, Sr., 6-4, 237, Downingtown, Pa.
• KJ Jefferson, UCF, Sr., 6-3, 247, Sardis, Miss.
• Mikey Keene, Fresno State, Jr., 5-11, 200, Chandler, Arizona.
• Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Jr., 6-3, 215, Longview, Texas
• Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Jr., 6-2, 205, Austin, Texas
• Riley Leonard, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-4, 216, Fairhope, Alabama.
• Grayson McCall, NC State, Sr., 6-3, 220, Indian Trail, NC
• Jordan McCloud, Texas State, Sr., 6-0, 200, Tampa, Florida.
• Kyle McCord, Syracuse, Sr., 6-3, 220, Mt. Laurel, NJ
• Graham Mertz, Florida, Sr., 6-2, 216, Overland Park, Kansas.
• Jalen Milroe, Alabama, Jr., 6-2, 220, Katy, Texas
• Cameron Rising, Utah, Sr., 6-2, 220, Ventura, California.
• Will Rogers, Washington, Sr., 6-2, 216, Brandon, Miss.
• Kaidon Salter, Liberty, Jr., 6-1, 200, Cedar Hill, Texas
• Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Sr., 6-2, 215, Dallas, Texas
• Preston Stone, SMU, Jr., 6-1, 214, Dallas, Texas
• DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State, Sr., 6-4, 252, Inland Empire, California.
• Cameron Ward, Miami, Sr., 6-3, 223, West Columbia, Texas
• Jacob Zeno, UAB, Sr., 6-4, 210, San Antonio, Texas