When a new head coach steps in, it’s not unusual to see some early turbulence on the recruiting trail - and that’s exactly what’s happening at Virginia Tech. Just days after James Franklin took over the Hokies’ program, four-star quarterback Cole Bergeron, one of the crown jewels of their 2026 class, has decommitted.
Bergeron, a standout from Lafayette, Louisiana, had been a key part of Virginia Tech’s future plans under the previous regime. He committed back in August, choosing the Hokies over offers from Georgia Tech, Colorado, UCLA, and Indiana.
But with the coaching change, the foundation of that commitment clearly shifted. And while these kinds of flips aren’t rare during transitions, the timing here is what turns heads - Bergeron had just wrapped up an official visit to Blacksburg over the weekend.
That’s not something you see every day. Recruits usually take official visits to solidify their commitments, not walk away from them. But this one looks like a classic case of a coaching change altering the vision - both for the program and the player.
Meanwhile, Franklin and his staff didn’t waste any time pivoting. The Hokies quickly extended an offer to Troy Huhn, another four-star quarterback who had previously committed to Franklin at Penn State.
When Franklin was dismissed in Happy Valley, Huhn reopened his recruitment. And when Franklin landed in Blacksburg, the Hokies made their move - offering Huhn the same day he was hired.
Huhn followed that up with an official visit just days later.
It’s clear Huhn is Franklin’s guy. He recruited him once, and now he’s trying to do it again - this time in maroon and orange.
That’s not a knock on Bergeron, who is ranked No. 20 nationally among quarterbacks in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. But the fit matters, and Franklin appears to be steering the quarterback room toward his own vision of the future.
Now, the spotlight shifts back to Bergeron. With the early signing period kicking off Wednesday, the clock is ticking.
Programs like Georgia Tech, Colorado, UCLA, and Indiana - all of whom were in the mix before - could re-enter the conversation. There’s also the possibility of new suitors emerging, especially with a quarterback of Bergeron’s caliber suddenly back on the board.
For Virginia Tech, this is the first real ripple of the Franklin era. Losing a top-tier quarterback recruit is never ideal, but the quick pursuit of Huhn shows the Hokies are moving with purpose. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about how this new staff plans to build - and rebuild - their future under center.