Virginia Tech is making a statement-and it’s not a quiet one. With a major investment into its football program and the high-profile hiring of James Franklin, the Hokies are signaling they’re done with mediocrity. After years of hovering in the middle of the ACC pack, Virginia Tech is aiming much higher, and early signs suggest they might just be on the right track.
Since Franklin arrived in Blacksburg, the momentum has been building fast. The Hokies landed a Top 25 high school recruiting class and a Top 20 transfer portal haul-two major wins that speak volumes about the direction of the program.
That kind of talent influx doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a result of strategic recruiting, strong relationships, and a clear vision for the future.
Now, as the dust settles on the 2025 college football season, national outlets are already looking ahead-and Virginia Tech is firmly on the radar. The early Top 25 rankings for 2026 are rolling in, and the Hokies are earning national respect.
CBS Sports slotted Virginia Tech in at No. 24, with high praise for Franklin’s aggressive roster-building approach. He brought in 12 transfers from his former stop at Penn State and added four-star wide receiver Que’Sean Brown from Duke.
That’s not just retooling-that’s reshaping a roster overnight. In a wide-open ACC, Franklin’s experience and consistency are already being viewed as difference-makers.
Over at Sports Illustrated, the Hokies came in even higher at No. 21.
The publication highlighted the immediate impact Franklin has made-not just in terms of talent, but in culture. There’s a renewed energy around the program, and that matters.
The schedule won’t be a cakewalk, with road trips to Miami and SMU looming, but with a proven winner on the sidelines, the floor in Blacksburg has already been raised.
Yahoo Sports took it a step further, ranking Virginia Tech at No. 20.
Their optimism centers on Franklin’s ability to engineer a fast turnaround, and the roster he’s assembling backs that up. Key additions include quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds-both from Penn State-as well as cornerback Jaquez White from Troy and edge rusher Javion Hilson from Missouri.
That’s a core group of players who can contribute right away and help set the tone for a new era.
What we’re seeing here is the early foundation of a program that’s tired of being overlooked. Franklin has brought credibility, connections, and a blueprint that’s already paying dividends.
Virginia Tech isn’t just trying to be competitive-they’re aiming to be relevant on the national stage again. And if these early rankings are any indication, the rest of the college football world is starting to take notice.