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Starting quarterback Kyron Drones and backup William “Pop” Watson III will return to West Virginia next season, the school announced Friday.

Both had been believed to have strong value had they chosen to enter the transfer portal.

Drones, a redshirt junior from Houston, has thrown for 1,562 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while starting nine games and missing three others due to injury. He is also second on the team with 336 rushing yards and has six scores on the ground despite having not played since leaving a Nov. 9 loss to Clemson.

Watson started one game as a redshirt freshman out of Massachusetts, throwing for 254 yards and a touchdown while helping the Hokies beat rival Virginia while Drones and primary backup Collin Schlee were sidelined by injuries.

The announcement came the day after offensive line coach Ron Crook was dismissed along with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Chris Marve and senior director of strength and conditioning Dwight Galt IV.

Virginia Tech is 6-6 heading into an appearance in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Minnesota (7-5) on Jan. 3 in Charlotte.

While Drones is staying in Blacksburg, running back Malachi Thomas has entered the transfer portal along with offensive lineman Braelin Moore.

–Field Level Media