James Franklin's Rapid Ascent at Virginia Tech After Recruit Swaps
After a rocky tenure at Penn State, former coach James Franklin has propelled Virginia Tech's recruiting class to new heights, flipping numerous commitments from his former team.
The past fortnight has been an intense rush for James Franklin at Virginia Tech. The ex-coach of Penn State has not only been recruiting diligently but is also welcoming visitors for a class nearly built from scratch. His efforts have resulted in a remarkable boost in ranking from No. 124 in the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings to No. 22 by the end of the early signing period.
How did Franklin manage this feat? Through established relationships and significant flips of former commitments from Penn State.
“It’s been a scramble,” Franklin stated. “Some coaches who have moved around didn’t see decommits. One coach landed his plane and the nation’s top recruit was waiting for him.”
Franklin flipped 10 Penn State commitments to Virginia Tech, causing Penn State’s class to plummet to No. 150. With a total of 23 players having decommitted since Franklin’s dismissal, it remains a serious shortfall for Penn State.
Of those who flipped, eleven players returned to Virginia Tech, including four-star linebacker Terry Wiggins.
Franklin acknowledged that the kids involved foster a bond with him beyond mere school allegiance, focusing instead on long-held relationships.
His upcoming challenges involve assembling a coaching staff while managing a dynamic recruiting atmosphere. “We’ve got to move quickly because all these other jobs are filling up, or are filled,” he remarked.
