Breaking Down Virginia Tech's Class of 2026

Since being hired on Nov. 17, James Franklin has been racing against the calendar.

That race is finally over.

Virginia Tech announced its Class of 2026 on Wednesday, the beginning of the college football early signing period. Franklin announced the signing or commitment of 22 recruits, including some familiar faces from his time in State College.

Here's a player-by-player breakdown of Virginia Tech's Class of 2026, as well as a more general view of how this recruiting class ranks nationally.

(Note: Recruits are listed in order based on their 247Sports Composite rating.)

LB Terry Wiggins (6'3", 210 lbs.)

Hometown: Coatesville, PA | 247Sports Composite: .9263

Wiggins announced his commitment to Virginia Tech on Dec. 3, choosing the Hokies over Penn State, Colorado, and North Carolina. When Wiggins committed, he immediately became the Hokies' top recruit in the class.

Wiggins drew heavy interest down the stretch, given Penn State's floundering coaching search. As is the case with most of the recruits in this class, Franklin's relationship with Wiggins won out in the end.

Linebacker has been an issue for the Hokies for several seasons. Franklin has a knack of developing productive linebackers and Wiggins may be the next one.

RB/ATH Messiah Mickens (5'10", 210 lbs.)

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA | 247Sports Composite: .9226 (4 stars)

How fitting it is that James Franklin's first commitment as Virginia Tech's head coach was a player named Messiah.

Mickens' offer list stands out — the former Penn State commit was sought after by Alabama, Indiana, and Notre Dame, among others. ESPN rates him as a top-150 player, and he's a consensus top-20 running back in the Class of 2026. 

James Franklin has a history of coaching elite college running backs. Mickens may not be the next Saquon Barkley, but if he plays anything like Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, or Miles Sanders, he'll be a hero in Blacksburg.

WR Davion Brown (6'1", 195 lbs.)

Hometown: Richmond, VA | 247Sports Composite: .9113 (4 stars)

I'm not sure if I will ever be able to call him "Fat Rat", but Davion Brown is another intriguing addition to Virginia Tech's Class of 2026.

Brown put himself back on the market right after Franklin was fired and immediately gave the Hokies a look when Franklin took the job. Brown is a physical receiver who could find himself in the two-deep next season, depending on how successful Franklin's portal shopping is.

It's worth noting that Brown held offers from Georgia, Indiana, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee, and more.

LB Tyson Harley (6'4", 215 lbs.)

Hometown: Washington, DC | 247Sports Composite: .9109

James Franklin loves his linebackers.

Harley is another four-star backer who drew interest from all sorts of Power 4 programs. Harley took an official visit to Virginia Tech over the summer before ultimately choosing the Nittany Lions in July.

Virginia Tech has had limited success recruiting the DC metro area. Hopefully Franklin can change that.

QB Troy Huhn (6'4", 215 lbs.)

Hometown: San Marcos, CA | 247Sports Composite: .9047 (4 stars)

Since he committed to the Hokies in August, Cole Bergeron was Virginia Tech's Class of 2026 quarterback. When Bergeron decommitted on Dec. 1, Hokies fans knew exactly who his replacement was.

Just hours later, Virginia Tech added Troy Huhn, a California quarterback who will be the first Hokie from The Golden State since cornerback DJ Harvey.

Huhn looks like the prototypical pocket passer and, given his coach, may draw comparisons to Drew Allar throughout his career. Franklin's quarterback development has been spotty, making it critical that Virginia Tech hire a proven playcaller and quarterbacks coach this offseason.

Even as a low-level four-star prospect, fans can take solace knowing that Franklin has believed in Huhn for quite a while. Huhn committed to Penn State back in June 2024 and immediately pulled back when Franklin was fired. These two are tied at the hip.

TE Pierce Petersohn (6'5", 195 lbs.)

Hometown: Dodge Center, MN | 247Sports Composite: .9028 (4 stars)

Tight end has always been a focal point of Franklin's offenses. If you watched Penn State in 2024, you know how impactful a player Tyler Warren was.

Franklin's tight ends need to do a little bit of everything. They need to be a mismatch against opposing defenses while also being able to factor into the run game as a blocker. It's not easy to find a tight end that can do both.

Petersohn is a high school quarterback with great athleticism for his size. I'm interested to see how he transitions to tight end at the collegiate level.

OL Thomas Wilder (6'5", 295 lbs.)

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8987 (4 stars)

Wilder committed to Brent Pry and his staff back in July, so it came as no surprise that Wilder reopened his recruitment when Pry was dismissed in September. Fortunately, Wilder was still available when Franklin took over and began building out his first recruiting class.

One of the larger problems at the end of the Justin Fuente era that persisted with Brent Pry was poor recruiting and a lack of development along the offensive line. Virginia Tech hasn't had an offensive lineman drafted to the NFL since Luke Tenuta and Lecitus Smith in 2022. Since their departure, the Hokies' offensive front has lacked both talent and depth.

Like the other offensive linemen in this class, fans shouldn't expect Wilder to make an immediate impact. Linemen usually need 1-2 years of a college football nutrition and training regimen before they're physically ready to compete. As Franklin rebuilds this program, Wilder should be ready to play a significant role in a couple of seasons.

It's also worth noting that Wilder is ranked as the ninth-best recruit in Virginia. Virginia Tech must continue prioritizing the Commonwealth when it comes to high school recruiting. There's lots of talent in this state, and there's no reason Franklin shouldn't be able to keep some of it within the state.

OL Marlen Bright (6'7, 290 lbs.)

Hometown: Wayne, NJ | 247Sports Composite: .8923 (4 stars)

Add Bright to the list of Penn State recruits following James Franklin to Blacksburg. Bright's commitment wasn't a slam dunk, as he did take an official visit to Washington before committing to Virginia Tech.

Like Wilder, Bright might need a couple of years before he factors into the starting lineup. More importantly, Bright is an example of how Franklin will be able to tap into New Jersey's talent pool. Wayne, NJ is outside of the six-hour radius that James Franklin talked about in his first press conference, but you can guarantee he's going to use his Garden State connections to his advantage.

It cannot be overstated how important it is to bring in two four-star offensive linemen into the fold. 

LB Mathieu Lamah (6'3", 220 lbs.)

Hometown: Nokesville, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8878 (3 stars)

When Franklin began lining up recruit visits, Lamah was among the first to sign up. It should be no surprise that Lamah is signing with Virginia Tech.

The former Penn State commit was offered by a bunch of Power 4 programs, most notably Indiana and Michigan. Lamah had plenty of options but chose to stay home.

Virginia Tech's corps of linebackers will look drastically different after the transfer portal window. Lamah could find himself competing for a spot in the two-deep if he arrives in Blacksburg ready to let it rip.

OL Benjamin Eziuka (6'3", 315 lbs.)

Hometown: Novi, MI | 247Sports Composite: .8867 (3 stars)

Michigan is another state that Virginia Tech has historically not recruited. Aside from a player here and there, the Hokies usually don't venture out that way.

James Franklin, however, has recruited Michigan consistently for the last decade-plus and was able to land Eziuka back in June. Now he's coming to Blacksburg.

Eziuka is part of Franklin's broader overhaul of the offensive line, bringing much-needed size to the group. Eziuka's offer list isn't quite as strong as some of his counterparts — Kentucky and West Virginia were his other notable offers.

DL T-Ron Richardson (6'2", 295 lbs.)

Hometown: Hopewell, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8844 (3 stars)

James Franklin didn't just pull former commits from Penn State, he recruited players committed elsewhere, too.

T-Ron Richardson committed to Oklahoma just before the season started. I'm not sure when he began exploring other options, but it's clear Richardson was looking for a place closer to home.

Richardson attracted the attention of several big programs, including Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. He's one of four Virginia Tech signees to come from the Richmond area, a hotbed of talent within the Commonwealth.

DB Amauri Polydor (6'1", 170 lbs.)

Hometown: Baltimore, MD | 247Sports Composite: .8833

Franklin had to sweat this one out. Polydor entertained multiple other offers at the last minute, ultimately deciding to follow Franklin from State College to Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech has experienced tremendous turnover in the secondary over the last couple years. That roster churn has brought inconsistent play, meaning there's playing time available for anyone who's ready. 

DB Zaevion Cleveland (6'4", 187 lbs.)

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8822 (3 stars)

Cleveland is one of three Green Run High School Stallions signing with Virginia Tech, joining Thomas Wilder and Kamren Johnson. Needless to say, Fontel Mines spent a lot of time at Green Run this past year.

Despite taking an official visit to West Virginia on Nov. 28, Cleveland reaffirmed his commitment to the Hokies just a couple days later, opting to trust Franklin and his vision for Virginia Tech.

At 6-foot-4, Celevand brings rare size to Virginia Tech's defensive backfield. His offer list won't generate much hype, but everyone would love to have a cornerback with that kind of size. There will be plenty of playing time available in 2026, should Cleveland prove he can compete as a freshman.

OL Roseby Libintus (6'5", 330 lbs.)

Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ | 247Sports Composite: .8767 (3 stars)

When someone's name is "Purgatory", it's likely going to draw attention.

Libintus is the prime example of why fans shouldn't get too invested in recruits until they sign on the dotted line. He committed to Franklin and Penn State in April, visited Michigan State in June, and then committed to Syracuse in July. He then visited Penn State in September before dumping Syracuse in October. Franklin offered Libintus immediately upon arriving in Blacksburg, got him on campus, and earned his commitment for the second time.

While Marlen Bright lives closer to New York, Libintus' hometown is just outside Philadelphia. Franklin clearly has strong connections across New Jersey, an asset he'll lean on while recruiting new Hokies.

LB John-Patrick Oates (6'3", 223 lbs.)

Hometown: Wyndmoor, PA | 247Sports Composite: .8767 (3 stars)

Oates is yet another linebacker that James Franklin went after down the stretch. Oates' offer list is pretty limited, but Franklin clearly sees something in him. 

DL Garrett Witherington (6'5", 290 lbs.)

Hometown: Birmingham, AL | 247Sports Composite: .8733 (3 stars)

Kentucky's decision to fire Mark Stoops gave Virginia Tech a chance to make a last-ditch effort at signing Witherington. The Hokies offered Witherington just before hosting him on an official visit on Nov. 29. Witherington committed to the Hokies just two days later.

With no assistants officially announced, there are few clues on the types of offensive and defensive schemes that Virginia Tech will run. At 290 pounds, Witherington doesn't make much sense as an edge defender, even though that's what he is listed as. Whether it's a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle, Witherington will likely find himself in the interior of the defensive front.

Even as a 3-star prospect, Witherington drew interest from Georgia Tech, Miami, and Notre Dame.

OL Maddox Cochrane (6'7", 280 lbs.)

Hometown: Richmond, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8722 (3 stars)

Cochrane is another recent decommit that Franklin prioritized when he joined the Virginia Tech program. Just a couple of weeks ago, Cochrane was set to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Instead, Cochrane visited Blacksburg on Nov. 29 and announced his commitment the following day.

As mentioned above, Richmond should be an area of focus for James Franklin and his staff. There's a lot of talent in that part of the state that is just a short drive away from Blacksburg.

OL Buddy Wegdam (6'6", 280 lbs.)

Hometown: Woodberry Forest, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8644 (3 stars)

Wegdam is one of the few recruits who stuck with Virginia Tech despite Brent Pry's dismissal. That's surprising, considering Wegdam lives just outside Charlottesville.

When it comes to Wegdam, one thing is for sure — academics won't be an issue. Among those programs that offered Wegdam are Harvard and William & Mary.

OL Tyrell Simpson (6'7", 310 lbs.)

Hometown: Leland, NC | 247Sports Composite: .8633 (3 stars)

Simpson is another recruit who predates Franklin but opted to stay committed to the new regime. Considering the other schools interested in him, it's not much of a surprise. Of his three other Power 4 offers, two of those programs fired their head coach.

EDGE Kamren Johnson (6'4", 225 lbs.)

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA | 247Sports Composite: .8511 (3 stars)

Virginia Tech's third Stallion committed back in June and was on campus for the Hokies' final week of official visits. Johnson fits the edge defender mold better than anyone else in a class short on those kinds of players. Like some of the other pre-Franklin commits, Johnson didn't have a ton of other great options. Signing with Virginia Tech keeps him with a couple of teammates for at least his first year.

K Will Love (6'2", 205 lbs.)

Hometown: Spartanburg, SC | 247Sports Composite: .8256 (3 stars)

Yes, they are related.

John Love's brother, Will Love, committed to Brent Pry in April and then to James Franklin before the early signing period. I'm not going to pretend to know what kind of kicking prospect he is, but at least we know he comes from good genes. It's always nice when brothers decide to follow in each other's footsteps at Virginia Tech.

How Should We Feel About This Class?

Virginia Tech's Class of 2026 was in dire straits before James Franklin was hired. Since taking over, Franklin has vaulted the Hokies into the 247Sports Composite Top 25 — strong work, considering the circumstances.

More importantly, Virginia Tech's average recruit rating of 88.41 is fifth-best in the ACC for the Class of 2026, trailing only Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, and Clemson. Keep in mind, Franklin did this in the span of two-and-a-half weeks.

The class addresses all three phases of the game. Franklin brought in a quarterback to develop, a highly-sought after running back, seven different offensive linemen, a slew of linebackers and defensive backs, and a kicker. Franklin is assuredly planning to attack the transfer portal, but this recruiting class will serve as the foundation of his rebuilding of Virginia Tech football. 

Franklin ended up signing XX recruits that were previously committed to him at Penn State, evidence that Franklin was doing a whole hell of a lot more than just selling State College. Those players weren't committed to Penn State as much as they were committed to Franklin. When he left, they followed.

That familiarity gives Franklin a leg up on most first-year coaches. When a coach arrives, their first recruiting cycle is mostly a wash, given the limited time the coach has to recruit. Franklin's early hiring, combined with his existing relationships, got the absolute most out of his first group.

This kind of short-fuse success bodes well for Franklin's long-term vision of building the foundation of Virginia Tech football with talented high school players. In just a few short weeks, Franklin proved to everyone that he can recruit sought-after players to Blacksburg. Regardless of what a salty Penn State fan might tell you, James Franklin can recruit with the best of them.