Pierce Petersohn Joins Virginia Tech as James Franklin Expands Hokies’ Recruiting Footprint

Virginia Tech football continues to benefit from James Franklin’s recruiting momentum following his move from Penn State. The Hokies added a key piece to their 2026 class when four-star tight end Pierce Petersohn committed on Thanksgiving, choosing Blacksburg over State College.

Petersohn, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect from Triton High in Dodge Center, Minnesota, signaled his trust in Franklin via social media, writing, “Believe in the people that believe in you! In Coach Franklin we trust.” His decision underscores Franklin’s ability to sway previously committed Penn State prospects to Virginia Tech.

The Hokies’ Thanksgiving week saw multiple high-profile additions, marking an aggressive push to finish the recruiting cycle strong. Franklin has targeted players he pursued at Penn State, leveraging existing relationships to attract talent to the ACC program.

This flurry of commitments reflects Virginia Tech’s intent to quickly establish a strong foundation under Franklin, blending top-tier prospects from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and beyond to reshape the roster for the coming seasons.

1. Tight End Pierce Petersohn Commits

Petersohn’s commitment is a significant victory for Franklin and Virginia Tech, adding a versatile, athletic tight end to the Hokies’ roster. Known for his size, athleticism, and receiving ability, Petersohn can contribute immediately in both blocking and passing schemes. Originally aligned with Penn State, Petersohn’s flip underscores Franklin’s influence and recruiting reach. His choice reinforces the growing trend of former Penn State targets redirecting their paths to Blacksburg rather than State College. The commitment also strengthens Virginia Tech’s depth at a position where the Hokies aim to develop multiple skilled tight ends capable of impacting the offense in 2026. Petersohn’s early messaging on social media signals his excitement and buy-in for Franklin’s program vision. By securing Petersohn, Franklin demonstrates a strategic approach: capturing talent familiar to him while establishing credibility and trust among recruits considering other Power Five programs.

2. Other Key Flips Boost Hokies’ Class

Petersohn is not alone in making the move from Penn State-related recruitment pipelines. Offensive tackles Roseby Lubintus and Marlen Bright also committed to Virginia Tech over Thanksgiving, each bringing size and experience that bolster the Hokies’ offensive line. Lubintus, a New Jersey native, had initially committed to Syracuse after previously pledging to Penn State. Franklin’s personal outreach and relationship-building helped bring him back into the fold. Similarly, Marlen Bright pivoted from Penn State to Virginia Tech, reinforcing the Hokies’ strategy of targeting players he previously pursued. Running back Messiah Mickens also flipped from Penn State to Virginia Tech, delivering a significant in-state loss for the Lions and adding a dynamic weapon to the Hokies’ backfield. His decision further signals Franklin’s effectiveness in persuading high-profile recruits to trust his vision for Virginia Tech football. These additions highlight Franklin’s early recruiting philosophy: focus on proven relationships, prioritize size and talent, and leverage credibility built over years at a Power Five program to establish momentum for the Hokies’ first recruiting class under his leadership.

3. Building Momentum for 2026 and Beyond

Franklin’s aggressive approach during Thanksgiving week positions Virginia Tech to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a deeper, more talented roster in 2026. By targeting recruits with previous Penn State connections, he has streamlined the process of building a competitive foundation. Andrew Rogers, a 2027 edge rusher already committed to Virginia Tech, represents another example of Franklin attracting elite talent who is enthusiastic about working with him. The Hokies are clearly prioritizing players who can make immediate and long-term contributions. The strategy also reflects a broader trend of Franklin leveraging his experience, relationships, and reputation to build credibility among recruits while filling positional needs with high-upside athletes. Each successful flip or commitment reinforces Virginia Tech as a viable destination for top-tier talent. Ultimately, Franklin’s early work in Blacksburg sets the tone for his tenure, signaling a program eager to reclaim prominence in the ACC while capitalizing on the timing of coaching transitions and holiday recruiting surges.