Virginia Tech Lands Major Flip as Four-Star Linebacker Terry Wiggins Commits
Virginia Tech just scored a major win on the recruiting trail - and it came at the expense of a familiar name. Four-star linebacker Terry Wiggins, one of Pennsylvania’s top prospects in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to the Hokies live on CBS Sports, flipping from Penn State in a move that sends ripple effects across the region.
Wiggins, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound force out of Coatesville Area High School, had been committed to the Nittany Lions since May. But with James Franklin now calling the shots in Blacksburg, the dynamic has shifted - and Virginia Tech is reaping the benefits.
A Top-Tier Talent with National Attention
Wiggins isn’t just another name in the recruiting cycle - he’s a consensus four-star prospect with a national profile. His recruiting résumé includes official visits to Cincinnati, Colorado, Kentucky, North Carolina, Penn State, West Virginia, and of course, Virginia Tech. That’s a who’s who of programs trying to build out their linebacker rooms, and Wiggins earned every bit of that attention.
Even beyond those visits, schools like Boston College, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Pitt, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt were in the mix. It’s clear Wiggins was a high-priority target across the board.
Here’s how the major recruiting services stack him up:
- 247Sports: No. 120 overall, No. 8 linebacker nationally, No. 4 player in Pennsylvania
- Rivals: No. 220 overall, No. 13 linebacker, No. 6 in Pennsylvania
- ESPN: No. 24 linebacker, No. 11 in Pennsylvania
However you slice it, Wiggins is a big-time get - and a cornerstone for Virginia Tech’s 2026 class.
The Franklin Factor
This flip didn’t come out of nowhere. Wiggins made his official visit to Virginia Tech over the weekend, checking in with Franklin while the Hokies were preparing for their rivalry game against Virginia in Charlottesville. That visit clearly made an impression, and shortly after, Wiggins made the call to commit.
What’s especially interesting is the timing. Wiggins never publicly decommitted from Penn State - a sign he may have been waiting to see how the coaching situation there would shake out after Franklin’s departure. But with Franklin already in place at Tech, the Hokies had a head start in reestablishing that relationship, and they capitalized.
A Historic Pairing for the Hokies
Wiggins joins fellow four-star Messiah Mickens - a standout running back - as part of what’s shaping up to be a special class for Virginia Tech. Both players are ranked among the top 10 prospects in Pennsylvania, and their commitments mark the first time since 2001 that the Hokies have landed two top-10 recruits from the Keystone State in the same cycle. That 2001 class included Kevin Jones and Fred Lee, and Hokie fans will remember how impactful Jones became in Blacksburg.
This is more than just a recruiting win - it’s a statement. With Franklin now building his vision at Virginia Tech, the Hokies are starting to pull serious weight in talent-rich territories like Pennsylvania. And if the trend continues, this program could be on the verge of a major resurgence.
For now, Wiggins gives the Hokies a versatile, athletic linebacker who can anchor a defense - and the kind of recruit that sends a clear message: Virginia Tech is back in the fight for elite talent.