Inside James Franklin’s rapid recruiting overhaul at Virginia Tech

JAMES FRANKLIN WAS LEFT without clear answers. Just minutes before Virginia Tech’s home clash with Miami on November 22, he sought a significant leap of faith from a group of high school prospects.

Only 38 days had passed since Penn State decided to part ways with Franklin, following six games into his 12th season. Wearing a maroon hoodie in the Hokies’ team room, he was trying to convince recruits like quarterback Troy Huhn and running back Messiah Mickens—along with six other talented prospects who were once part of a promising Nittany Lions recruiting class.

With less than two weeks until the 2026 early signing period, time was against him. Just 72 hours post his official introduction as Virginia Tech’s new head coach, Franklin was still piecing together his coaching staff and acclimating to his new environment. He was also unsure how to address the upcoming transfer portal.

“They’re asking me who the coordinators are going to be? I just said, you have to trust me,” he recounted to ESPN. “‘Who is my position coach going to be?’ Again, I said, you have to trust me.”

Over the next 12 days, Franklin and the Hokies received 17 commitments, including pledges from 11 former Penn State recruits, led by Huhn, Mickens, and fellow ESPN 300 talents Davion Brown and Pierce Petersohn. From being unranked at Franklin’s hiring on November 17, Virginia Tech’s incoming class entered national signing day ranked 21st according to ESPN, finishing the recruiting cycle stronger than any other program in college football.

This wave of recruits significantly impacted Penn State, whose initial 2026 class experienced a sharp decline as Franklin took talent with him. With nearly 50% of his former recruits now with the Hokies, Franklin sought to build a formidable foundation for an ambitious revitalization in Blacksburg, just 367 miles from Happy Valley.

To achieve this, Franklin relied on longstanding relationships, a dedicated recruiting staff from his time at Penn State, a robust financial effort in recruiting, and a pair of hectic late-November recruiting weekends. This rapid recruitment provided an insightful glimpse into the substantial change Franklin’s leadership could initiate at a program that has recorded just one winning season since 2020.

“It was unusual and stressful,” Franklin stated. “I hope I don’t have to go through that again. But it turned out well for these kids and their families, and for Virginia Tech as well.”

ESPN spoke with 12 members of the program’s 2026 class, including eight former Penn State pledges, along with program insiders to unravel the extraordinary 2½-week recruiting surge that provided a boost to Franklin’s new era at Virginia Tech.

“Coach Franklin assured us that this place would feel like home,” said Huhn, ESPN’s No. 12 pocket passer. “He reminded me when I committed to Penn State to always trust him, and I did.”

“We took a detour there for a bit,” noted linebacker Tyson Harley, a former Penn State commit. “But we ended up where we were meant to be because we placed our trust in Franklin.”

VIRGINIA TECH’S FRENZIED finish to the recruiting period unfolded over 16 days at the tail end of a three-win season. Yet for Franklin, it was the culmination of years of effort.

Mickens had known Franklin since middle school, being the first to commit to Penn State’s 2026 class. Many pledges had spent their high school years immersed in the program, attending camps and campus visits where Franklin was a central figure. Current and former recruits describe an engaging and high-energy coach who builds lasting bonds with players long before they step onto the field.

“He’s family,” said Hokies offensive tackle signee Marlen Bright, who received his initial offer from Penn State as a freshman. “Coach Franklin has been a part of my journey for nearly five years. If you see Franklin with my dad, they resemble brothers. I call him Uncle Franklin.”

Virginia Tech signifies another restoration endeavor for Franklin, who started his head coaching career at Vanderbilt in 2011. His relationship-driven approach to recruiting has been fundamental at each stop he’s made.

During his time at Vanderbilt, this method laid the groundwork for back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2012 and 2013. When he arrived at Penn State in January 2014, he swiftly assembled an impressive signing class, including future All-Big Ten quarterback Trace McSorley and NFL talents Chris Godwin Jr., Mike Gesicki, and Marcus Allen—a late-cycle recruiting resurgence paralleling Franklin’s rapid start at Virginia Tech.

“He’s one of the most effective head coach recruiters I’ve encountered,” a member of Virginia Tech’s previous recruiting staff told ESPN. “He has a clear vision and plan, and he’s incredibly approachable when recruits visit. It’s no surprise he attracts top talent.”

Franklin had pieced together another close-knit, talent-rich Nittany Lions class in 2026. But after losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern, he was let go as Penn State’s coach on October 12. “I was stunned,” linebacker recruit Mathieu Lamah recalled. Many commits, including Brown, the highly ranked receiver, quickly reopened their recruitments.

Franklin, however, remained active. even with his firing, several prospects noted that he remained engaged in group chats and made regular calls to reassure families of former recruits, keeping the lines of communication open.

“He was checking in on me once or twice a week,” Mickens, ESPN’s No. 13 running back in 2026, shared. “He kept it honest with me. His actions showed my family what kind of coach he is. All through this, he said he would land another job soon.”

At the time of Franklin’s dismissal, Penn State’s 2026 recruiting class was ranked 18th by ESPN. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech’s class was in jeopardy after the dismissal of former coach (and current defensive coordinator) Brent Pry a month earlier.

In the ensuing eight weeks, as Franklin contemplated his next steps and Penn State sought a successor for 58 days, the Nittany Lions’ recruiting class unraveled. Communication from the program soured, with no head coach and an unclear vision for the future. The front office setup left behind by Franklin made the situation even more precarious.

Insiders described Penn State’s operation as heavily reliant on Franklin’s leadership, adhering to a traditional approach amidst today’s NIL/revenue share climate. Negotiations and contracts moved at a sluggish pace, leaving many prospects without secure revenue agreements at the time of Franklin’s release.

“We wanted to finalize the serious negotiations, but progress was slow,” Lamah stated, who later signed with Virginia Tech. Unlike programs like Florida and LSU, which retained their classes during coaching transitions, Penn State suffered a significant loss, signing only two 2026 recruits during the early signing period. “You can see which programs have invested wisely during this cycle,” an SEC general manager commented.

By early November, Franklin was openly seeking a new job.

“My name surfaced with several opportunities being pulled and pressured from various angles,” Franklin shared. “I advised the recruits to hold on as long as they could while we waited for a resolution.”

Upon Franklin’s hiring announcement, he gathered Penn State’s recruiting staff at his home, offering roles on the Hokies’ recruiting team. Eight personnel members from the Nittany Lions followed him the next day.

Immediately, Franklin and his team got back in contact with recruits. Soon after, top names from Penn State’s 2026 class visited Blacksburg with the early signing period approaching.

“You know the feeling when you reunite with family at a gathering after a long time?” Bright described. “That’s how we felt that weekend; it felt like family.”

WHEN HUHN AND the other former Penn State recruits arrived at The Inn at Virginia Tech’s hotel lobby on November 21, one noticeable detail stood out.

“It was odd seeing Coach Franklin not in blue,” Huhn remarked. “That threw me for a loop. We’re still getting used to this change.”

Pressed for time, Franklin relied on familiar faces during his early days at Virginia Tech, avoiding efforts to recruit new prospects far from his previous connections. He focused instead on rallying his former Penn State class and remaining Hokies commitments during the last two weekends leading to the early signing period.

“I wanted to create a foundation with people I trusted and respected,” Franklin affirmed. “Starting with those relationships was crucial.”

His first recruiting weekend at Virginia Tech was a blend of emotions: the joy of a quasi-Penn State reunion clashed with the anxiety of the early signing period and uncertainty surrounding the Hokies’ interim coaching staff.

“Current coaches remained in place,” remarked Huhn’s father, Jay. “Coach Franklin invited them to all the events we attended, creating an awkward atmosphere. Is Troy going to be part of this? Was it an interview for everyone?”

Nevertheless, these unique circumstances came with advantages. A sitting head coach is rarely as accessible on a game weekend as Franklin was during Week 13. While interim coach Phillip Montgomery led the Hokies on the field, Franklin dedicated his attention to recruiting.

There wasn’t time for fresh strategies, so Franklin followed the traditional Virginia Tech recruiting playbook. Staff, recruits, and their families spent Friday night at McLain’s—a combination bowling alley, arcade, and sports bar close to campus. Even a two-touchdown loss to Miami couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm surrounding Franklin’s introduction. That evening, recruits enjoyed steak dinner on the club level overlooking Lane Stadium.

One pivotal moment of the weekend, highlighted by several recruits, occurred Saturday morning. As the current Hokies warmed up on the field, Franklin brought the official visitors into the team’s meeting room to address their concerns and convey his vision for the future. He emphasized how much he wanted them to join him in Blacksburg.

“He gathered us and spoke candidly,” Mickens reflected. “He was the same coach I committed to at Penn State.”

The following morning, Franklin sought out Mickens in the hotel lobby to gauge his feelings about Virginia Tech after their visit. “He told me once I committed, we would secure the whole class,” Mickens remembered.

Mickens didn’t finalize a decision immediately, contemplating an upcoming visit to Oklahoma. He felt it necessary to take 24 hours to consider his options. but, during the five-hour drive home to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, everything became clearer.

By the next morning, Mickens called Franklin to share his decision, marking the first domino to fall in the Hokies’ late recruiting surge.

“I told Coach Franklin I was ready to commit,” Mickens said. “He responded, ‘Awesome. Now let’s bring the others with us.’

MICKENS FORMALLY ANNOUNCED his commitment to Virginia Tech on November 25, with the remainder of the former Penn State class following suit within the week, including Huhn on December 1. Among those who visited for the Miami game, four-star safety Matt Sieg, who eventually signed with West Virginia, was the Hokies’ only missed opportunity.

Thomas Wilder, a sought-after in-state offensive tackle and former Virginia Tech commit, rejoined the program on December 1. Late decommits Maddox Cochrane (Wisconsin) and Garrett Witherington (Kentucky), both previously recruited by Franklin at Penn State, eagerly joined the influx of talent, resulting in the Hokies’ highest-ranked signing class since 2018.

“We needed a solid foundational class to build upon,” Franklin remarked. “In the end, it was all about the relationships we cultivated with these young men and their families.”

By the conclusion of the early signing period, Franklin and Virginia Tech had secured 22 pledges and achieved a top-25 class. Two months later, Franklin remarked that the poaching of the Nittany Lions’ class “wasn’t a tactical assault on any program.” but, the contrasts were evident as former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell inherited a beleaguered class at Penn State in December.

Franklin’s prompt reorganization and Virginia Tech’s decisions resulting in this dynamic have garnered praise throughout the sport. “It exemplifies the benefits of early hiring and firing,” one ACC general manager noted. Industry sources expressed admiration for the Hokies’ financial assertiveness during the final weeks of the cycle; several confirmed to ESPN that one former Penn State recruit significantly increased his previous $250,000 deal upon signing with the Hokies.

Franklin’s era at Virginia Tech is still just beginning. After assembling a 25-man portal class, including 12 Penn State transfers, in early January, he began efforts on the 2027 class last month. “I genuinely haven’t had much time with our guys,” he noted to ESPN.

Early indications are promising. Beyond his immediate recruiting achievements, Franklin has adeptly integrated holdovers from the Pry era into his former Penn State-heavy recruiting team. He remains confident that his approach to program-building, once tailored to the specifics of Virginia Tech, can yield success in 2026. also, the university has shown a readiness to invest in the program further. Following a commitment to $229 million in athletic spending over the next four years late last year, the school announced record donations—including a $20 million anonymous gift in December—and plans for significant facility upgrades.

As with his tenures at Vanderbilt or Penn State, Franklin believes he can achieve greatness at Virginia Tech.

“The challenge is replicating success in a new environment and addressing a site eager for victories,” Franklin expressed. “But I must assemble a team of trusted individuals to facilitate this journey.”

On this front, Franklin is already making progress. He arrived at Virginia Tech in November with key members of his Penn State recruiting team and, just 16 days later, welcomed 11 more familiar faces from the 2026 class willing to follow him into the Hokies’ program.

but, the challenges of a tumultuous Nittany Lions season—despite impressive recruiting and financial backing—linger. Months into his tenure, Franklin remains cautious: The Hokies have much work ahead, both on the field and within the program’s structure.

“It’s early days,” he noted. “The silver lining is the overwhelming enthusiasm to restore Virginia Tech’s former glory, but considerable work and tough choices still lie ahead.”