Blacksburg is currently the center of the college football universe, and not necessarily for the reasons we expected six months ago. If you haven't been glued to the message boards, here is the short version: the Brent Pry era ended with a thud in September, James Franklin is the new boss, and the roster is basically a revolving door right now.
It's chaotic. It's exciting. It's kinda terrifying if you’re a fan of stability.
Honestly, the Virginia Tech football news cycle has moved so fast since November that it feels like we’ve lived through three seasons in two months. We went from a mid-season firing to a "splash hire" that feels like a fever dream for Penn State fans. Now, Franklin is essentially raiding his old pantry in State College to build a powerhouse in the ACC.
The Portal is Basically a Penn State Satellite Office
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. James Franklin didn't just move to Blacksburg; he brought half of Pennsylvania with him. The sheer volume of Penn State transfers is staggering. We’re talking about guys like defensive end Mylachi Williams, linebacker Keon Wylie, and offensive lineman Michael Troutman III.
It’s a bold strategy.
Usually, a new coach tries to "win the state" first. Franklin is doing that too—landing local kids like Eric Mensah, an Ohio State transfer from Stafford who originally committed to Pry—but his real power move has been the Nittany Lion pipeline. Landing Luke Reynolds, a former five-star tight end, might be the biggest individual win of the cycle.
But it’s not just about the Big Ten.
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The quarterback situation was a mess, and Franklin attacked it with a "more is more" philosophy. He grabbed Bryce Baker from North Carolina and is reportedly the heavy favorite for Ethan Grunkemeyer. When you add in true freshman Troy Huhn, a four-star kid from California who stuck with his commitment despite the coaching change, the QB room actually has... talent? It’s a weird feeling for Hokie Nation.
What People Get Wrong About the 2026 Roster
There’s this narrative that the team is completely gutted. While it's true that guys like Dante Lovett and Tucker Holloway hit the portal early, the retention list is actually surprisingly solid.
You’ve got foundational pieces staying put:
- Marcellous Hawkins (RB): The guy was a beast in 2025, averaging nearly six yards a carry. Keeping him was non-negotiable.
- Kemari Copeland (DT): He’s the undisputed leader of that defense. Without him, the middle of the line would be a sieve.
- Noah Chambers (LB): A freshman who actually lived up to the hype. He’s the most athletic linebacker we’ve seen in Blacksburg in a long, long time.
- Emmett Laws (DL): Undersized? Maybe. Productive? Absolutely.
The defense is being rebuilt around these "Pry holdovers" while the offense is getting a total facelift. It’s a hybrid team.
The Recruiting Class That Shouldn't Have Happened
Can we talk about how Franklin dragged this recruiting class from the 100s into the Top 25 in about three weeks?
That shouldn't be possible.
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The 2026 class is highlighted by Messiah Mickens, a four-star running back from Pennsylvania who is the highest-rated rusher to sign with Tech since David Wilson back in 2009. That’s a name that carries weight. Then you have Davion "FatRat" Brown, the top-ranked wideout in Virginia.
Basically, Franklin used his first fourteen days on the job to prove that Virginia Tech can still pull "blue-chip" talent if the person asking has a big enough personality.
The "Brent Pry as DC" Rumor
This is the part where things get really interesting. There has been a ton of chatter—some of it probably wishful thinking, some of it with actual legs—about Brent Pry returning to the staff.
Wait, what?
Yeah, you read that right. In a move that would be peak 2026 college football, there are reports that Franklin is bringing Pry back to run the defense. Remember, Pry was Franklin’s DC at Penn State for years before taking the Tech job. It’s a "getting the band back together" vibe that feels both awkward and brilliant.
If it happens, it solves the biggest problem Franklin has: familiarity with the local high school coaches. Pry is loved in the Commonwealth; he just couldn't get the wins as the CEO.
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Why the 2026 Schedule is a Massive Opportunity
The ACC is, to put it bluntly, wide open. Clemson isn't the boogeyman they used to be, and Florida State is... well, they're going through some things.
Vegas has already set the early over/under for Virginia Tech at 7.5 wins.
For a first-year coach with this much roster turnover, that's a high bar. But look at the home slate. Hardest games? Miami, Pitt, and UVA are all at Lane Stadium. If "Enter Sandman" still has its magic, an 8 or 9-win season isn't just a dream; it’s a distinct possibility.
How to Follow the Chaos
If you're trying to keep up with the Virginia Tech football news without losing your mind, focus on these specific markers over the next few weeks:
- January 16th: This is the hard deadline for the current transfer portal window. Expect a flurry of "commitment" graphics on X (Twitter) right before the clock strikes midnight.
- The QB Battle: Keep an eye on Ethan Grunkemeyer. If he officially signs, the competition between him and Bryce Baker in the spring will be the only thing anyone talks about in Blacksburg.
- Defensive Staffing: Until the DC role is officially announced, the Pry rumors will continue to dominate the message boards. Watch the official @HokiesFB accounts for the formal press release.
- Spring Game Prep: With so many new faces, the spring game (likely in April) is going to be less of a scrimmage and more of a "get to know you" event for the fans.
The reality is that Virginia Tech is no longer trying to be "Beamerball 2.0." They are trying to be a modernized, portal-heavy, NIL-aggressive program. It’s a bumpy ride, but for the first time in years, the trajectory is actually pointing up.