James Franklin is making good on his promise to turn things around at Virginia Tech. The head coach has been vocal about his plans to bring success to the Hokies, and it seems like he is already making an impact on the recruiting front. After securing the commitment of 4-star running back Messiah Mickens, Franklin and his staff have now landed another big recruit in 4-star offensive lineman Marlen Bright, who was previously committed to Penn State. This is just the beginning, as more top prospects are reportedly in the pipeline for Virginia Tech.
The Hokies’ latest win on the recruiting trail is yet another blow to their former coach, James Franklin, who is now at Penn State. Franklin left Virginia Tech in 2014 to take over the Nittany Lions, and since then, the two programs have been in direct competition for top recruits. But with Franklin now at the helm, it seems like the tide is turning in Virginia Tech’s favor.
The addition of Messiah Mickens was a huge coup for the Hokies. The 4-star running back from New Jersey had offers from some of the top programs in the country, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan. But in the end, he chose to commit to Virginia Tech, citing the strong relationship he had built with James Franklin and his staff.
And now, the Hokies have added another highly sought-after recruit in Marlen Bright. The 6’6″, 300-pound offensive lineman from Virginia had been committed to Penn State since last year, but he recently decided to reopen his recruitment. This opened the door for Virginia Tech to swoop in and secure his commitment. Bright is a versatile lineman who can play both guard and tackle, and his addition will provide a huge boost to the Hokies’ offensive line.
But it’s not just these two big names that have Virginia Tech fans excited. According to reports, the Hokies have several other top prospects in their sights, and they could be on the verge of landing even more big commitments in the coming weeks. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of James Franklin and his staff, who have been relentless in their pursuit of top talent.
The Hokies’ success on the recruiting trail is a clear indication that James Franklin is living up to his words. When he was hired as the head coach at Virginia Tech, he promised to bring a change in fortunes to the program. And it’s safe to say that he is delivering on that promise. With his infectious energy and proven track record of developing players, Franklin has quickly become a magnet for top recruits.
But it’s not just about landing big names for the sake of it. Franklin and his staff have a clear vision for the type of players they want to bring in. They are looking for not only talented athletes but also high-character individuals who will fit into the culture they are building at Virginia Tech. This approach has already paid dividends, as evidenced by the commitments of Mickens and Bright.
The Hokies’ recent success on the recruiting trail is also a testament to the strong foundation that was laid by former head coach Justin Fuente. Fuente may have had his struggles on the field, but he did a great job of building relationships with top recruits and setting the stage for Franklin to come in and close the deal.
With the addition of Mickens and Bright, Virginia Tech’s 2022 recruiting class is now ranked in the top 25 nationally. This is a significant improvement from last year when the Hokies finished outside the top 50. And with more top prospects in the pipeline, there’s no telling how high they can climb in the rankings.
But for now, Virginia Tech fans can revel in the fact that their program is on the rise. James Franklin has brought a renewed sense of excitement and optimism to Blacksburg, and it’s clear that he is just getting started. With his relentless work ethic and proven ability to develop players, the future looks bright for the Hokies.
As for Penn State, they will have to deal with the reality of losing out on top recruits to their former coach. James Franklin’s departure from Virginia Tech may have been a bitter pill to swallow for Nittany Lions fans, but it seems like they will have to get used to it. With the Hokies’ recent success on the recruiting trail, it’s clear that Franklin is plotting another triple blow to his former program. And if things continue on this trajectory, it won’t be long