James Franklin begins his first season as head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies brimming with confidence about the team’s future. He has steered 12 of his former players from Penn State to Virginia Tech. This recruitment strategy has elevated the Hokies to the No. 7 spot in the transfer portal rankings.
Additionally, Virginia Tech benefits from a roster filled with returning talent. The team also brought back former head coach Brent Pry to serve as the defensive coordinator, enhancing their potential.
During the ACC Media Days on Thursday, Franklin shared his positive outlook following his initial offseason with Virginia Tech. “We have won the offseason. We have had a great offseason,” Franklin remarked, as reported by college football insider Brett McMurphy of On3 Sports.
He continued by saying, “We are bigger, stronger, faster than we have been. There’s no doubt about that. We’ve won the offseason. That’s a great soundbite. The reality is we have to ensure these improvements are reflected in the season.”
Franklin’s tenure at Penn State ended after a 3-3 start in the 2025 season, despite leading the team to at least 10 victories in each of the preceding three seasons. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech looks to rebound from their own challenging 2025 season with only three wins.
The Hokies, under Franklin’s guidance, are set to begin their 2026 campaign against VMI on September 5.
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