Franklin’s First National Signing Day is One to Celebrate

On Dec. 3, Virginia Tech was able to sign 20 recruits from across the country with James Franklin leading the recruiting comeback. 

An early morning in Blacksburg for National Signing Day with alumni, media, executives, coaches, and boosters all coming together at the Merryman Center to celebrate the newest recruiting class of the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

The theme of the event was the NFL Draft. Each recruit would be selected by a Hokie alumni or executive. Recruits were selected by a wide range of Hokies from Virginia Tech president Tim Sands to three-time ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley. 

The first recruit “selected” was OL Marlen Bright from Wayne, NJ. Coming in a 6’7, 290 pounds, he is part of the collective that was brought over from Penn State by Coach Franklin. Bright committed to Penn State on Jul.5 but decommitted and committed to Virginia Tech on Nov. 27.

Another one of the Penn State collective that was brought over and who was “selected” 2nd overall in the draft was Messiah Mickens. Mickens is the only four star as listed on 247 Sports and is ranked the 17th best RB recruit in the country. Mickens committed on Nov. 22, 3 days after he decommitted from Penn State.

The event took place in the players’ lounge at the Merryman Center, and it felt like this was the swearing in of Coach Franklin. The introductory press conference and appearances at Men’s Basketball and Football games was his campaign as Head Coach-elect. This event felt like Franklin was truly at helm of the Hokies now. 

Signings started around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday and the last one took place around 3:00 p.m. with DB Amauri Polydor being the final commit. 

Franklin answered questions from media but only took six questions plus his opening statement. One of the most interesting quotes from Franklin was when he spoke about the process of recruiting TE Pierce Petersohn. 

“I don’t know if this has really happened before,” Franklin said. “We have official visits and we have the TE from Minnesota, Pierce [Petersohn] and he says, ‘What does the TE room look like, Coach?’ I said ‘I have no idea. I’ve been here three days. I can’t tell you. 

Franklin said his usual quotes and buzz words when talking to media and even when he was speaking to the recruits over Zoom. 

One of the biggest phrases that Franklin has said in almost any of his appearances for Virginia Tech is controlling the commonwealth of Virginia recruiting wise. 

When speaking to Maddox Cochrane, an OL from Richmond, Va., Franklin stated that we want all the best players in Virginia to stay in Virginia and represent their state on a national level at Virginia Tech. 

Throughout the entire week leading up to signing day, the Hokies were moving up the 247 team rankings. On Dec. 2, the Hokies were 33rd in the country. On Dec. 3, they were 29th in the rankings around 9 a.m. By the end of the day, Franklin was able to get the Hokies up to 22nd in the country and 5th in the ACC.

This is the best class the Hokies have had since 2013 when Kendall Fuller was a 5-star recruit and Coach Frank Beamer was still the head coach. 

The Hokies find themselves in a position that no one in the world could have imagined just a few months ago. A top 25 recruiting class, flipping recruits from top Power 4 schools and don’t forget that James Franklin is the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

With all but one recruit signed to the Hokies, Franklin coming in early and not missing out on this 26’ class like he said has paid off in riches. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Penn State, Franklin’s former school, is currently ranked 135th overall and 150th composite in recruiting on 247 Sports. 

While high school recruiting is nearly wrapped up, there is still one more window where Franklin can really put this team in a position to make some noise next year. The transfer portal opens up Jan. 2; with the exception of CFP players whose season extend past Jan. 16. 

Franklin has been quoted to say that there will be a balance between transfer and high school recruits. Jan. 2 is shaping up to be the next flashpoint in Virginia Tech’s plan to take back the state and the country when it comes to the gridiron.