BREAKING NEWS: Virginia Tech Guard Tyler Johnson Wins Sporting News National Player of the Year
Blacksburg, VA — In a moment that cements his place in college football history, Virginia Tech quarterback Tyler Johnson has officially been named the 2025 Sporting News National Player of the Year. The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking season that saw the junior signal-caller lead the Hokies to the College Football Playoff and elevate the program back into national prominence.
Johnson, who entered the season as an under-the-radar dual-threat quarterback, quickly turned heads across the country with his explosive playmaking ability, leadership, and poise under pressure. Over 13 games, he threw for 4,216 yards and 38 touchdowns, while adding 812 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground — numbers that left voters no choice but to crown him the nation’s top collegiate player.
“This means everything,” Johnson said moments after the announcement was made live on ESPN. “It’s a blessing. But it’s not just about me. It’s about the guys in that locker room, the coaches who believed in me, and the fans who stuck by us through it all.”
From Underdog to Unstoppable
Johnson’s journey to the top of the college football world has been nothing short of remarkable. A three-star recruit from Richmond, Virginia, Johnson received only a handful of Power 5 offers out of high school. Many programs saw him as a potential athlete or safety — but Virginia Tech’s coaching staff saw something more.
Head Coach Brent Pry believed in Johnson’s ability to lead, compete, and redefine the Hokies’ offense. That vision paid off in historic fashion.
“Tyler’s the hardest-working player I’ve ever coached,” Pry said. “He has the talent, sure. But what sets him apart is his mind and his heart. He studies like a pro, competes like a warrior, and leads like a champion.”
Big Moments, Bigger Legacy
Throughout the 2024 season, Johnson delivered in some of the sport’s biggest moments. He threw four touchdowns in a comeback win over Clemson, ran for two more against North Carolina in the ACC Championship, and outdueled multiple Heisman candidates in nationally televised games.
In a defining performance, he led Virginia Tech to a dramatic 45-42 win over Notre Dame, throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left. That victory catapulted the Hokies into the College Football Playoff picture and vaulted Johnson into award contention.
“He’s magic when it matters most,” said Sporting News senior writer Bill Bender. “There are great players. And then there are guys who refuse to lose. That’s Tyler Johnson.”
A Program Reborn
Johnson’s rise has coincided with Virginia Tech’s return to national relevance. Once a dominant force under Frank Beamer, the Hokies had struggled for consistency in recent years. But in 2024, thanks in large part to Johnson’s leadership, the program returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2011.
The Hokies also secured their first College Football Playoff appearance and a shot at their first national title.
Blacksburg has responded in kind. Students and fans flooded social media with tributes, fan art, and congratulatory videos. The hashtag #TylerTime trended nationwide within minutes of the announcement.
What’s Next?
While Johnson has yet to officially declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, most analysts consider him a first-round lock — and possibly the top quarterback off the board. But for now, Johnson is focused on one goal: finishing the job.
“I came to Virginia Tech to win championships,” he said. “That goal hasn’t changed.”
Whether or not he plays another down in Blacksburg, Tyler Johnson’s legacy is sealed: the face of a new era, a symbol of perseverance, and now, the 2025 Sporting News National Player of the Year.
Leave a Reply