James Franklin pulled off a Virginia Tech recruiting masterpiece that wiped out Penn State

Nov 19, 2025; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin speaks at the press conference at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images | Brian Bishop-Imagn ImagesAfter Penn State fired James Franklin in October, he knew that he wanted to coach again. It was only a matter of time before he found a new home for the 2026 season. Little did many people know that his new home was going to be in Blacksburg.

In mid-November, when he was hired at Virginia Tech, he did what he always does: he hit the ground running in terms of everything. Before the ink was dry on his new contract, he was recruiting the Class of 2026 and trying to scramble to put a class together.…