Virginia Tech’s 2026 Signing Day: James Franklin’s New Era Begins with Big Recruiting Push
It’s Signing Day in Blacksburg, and there’s a new energy surrounding Virginia Tech football. With James Franklin at the helm, the Hokies are poised to bring in one of their largest recruiting classes in recent memory. Wednesday marks the first major milestone of Franklin’s tenure, and all signs point to a strong opening statement on the recruiting trail.
Franklin enters the day with 13 fresh commitments already in the fold, and more could be on the way. The Hokies are expected to add a full slate of new talent to the roster, and while the coaching staff has been tight-lipped about specific targets, there’s plenty of buzz around a few names to watch as the day unfolds.
How Signing Day Will Unfold in Blacksburg
Virginia Tech is going all-in on the event, with a full morning of announcements and media availability. From 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET, the Hokies will run a draft-style signing event-though it won’t be streamed this year, the updates will roll in fast as National Letters of Intent come through the fax machine (yes, that’s still a thing in college football).
At 11:30 a.m., James Franklin will appear on a Triumph NIL livestream to discuss the day’s developments. Then, at 12:15 p.m., he’ll meet with the media for his official Signing Day press conference, offering insight into the class and how these new pieces fit into his vision for Virginia Tech football.
Throughout the day, player bios and signing confirmations will be updated on the Hokies’ official Signing Day Central page. It’s the go-to spot for fans tracking every commitment as it becomes official.
The 2026 Class: Who’s Expected to Sign?
As of midnight heading into Signing Day, Virginia Tech had 18 verbal commitments expected to sign. These players represent a balanced mix across both sides of the ball, with a heavy emphasis on the trenches-something Franklin has prioritized throughout his coaching career.
Here’s the list of expected signees, sorted alphabetically:
- Marlen Bright, OL
- Davion Brown, WR
- Zaevion Cleveland, CB
- Maddox Cochrane, OL
- Benjamin Eziuka, OL
- Tyson Harley, DE
- Troy Huhn, QB
- Kamren Johnson, DE
- Mathieu Lamah, LB
- Will Love, PK
- Roseby Lubintus, OL
- Messiah Mickens, RB
- Pierce Petersohn, TE
- T-Ron Richardson, DL
- Tyrell Simpson, OL
- Buddy Wegdam, OL
- Thomas Wilder, OL
- Garrett Witherington, DL
Notice a trend? That’s five offensive linemen and four defensive linemen, not to mention a kicker, a quarterback, and a couple of playmakers at the skill positions. It’s a class built with physicality and depth in mind-exactly what you’d expect from a coach like Franklin, who’s known for building from the inside out.
Potential Signing Day Surprises
While the Hokies already have a solid core of commitments, there are still a few uncommitted prospects who could swing Virginia Tech’s way before the day is done. These are the names to monitor:
- Tavian Branch, DT
- Jackson Ford, DE
- John-Patrick Oates, ATH
- Amauri Polydor, CB
- Matt Sieg, S
- Terry Wiggins, LB
Two of those decisions will be made live on national platforms:
- Matt Sieg is set to announce at 10:00 a.m. ET on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube Channel.
- Terry Wiggins will follow with his decision at 12:30 p.m. ET on the same channel.
If the Hokies can land even a couple of these targets, it would be a strong capstone on an already impressive class-and a signal that Franklin’s recruiting reach is already making an impact.
One Eye on February
Not every Hokie commit is signing today. Isaiah Pina, a tight end from Groveland, Florida, announced Tuesday that he remains committed to Virginia Tech but will wait until February to make it official. It’s a reminder that this class isn’t quite complete-and that the Hokies may still have a few moves left before the traditional signing period wraps up.
What’s Next?
As the day progresses, Virginia Tech will be updating its Signing Day pages and social media channels with each confirmed signee. Franklin’s press conference will offer the first real look at how this class fits into his plans, and what kind of identity he wants to build in Blacksburg.
By the end of the day, we’ll have a clearer picture of the 2026 Hokies and the foundation Franklin is laying for the future. One thing’s already clear: Virginia Tech isn’t easing into this new era-they’re hitting the ground running.