James Franklin is stepping into his inaugural season as head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, and he is optimistic about the team’s future. Having 12 players from his previous team at Penn State join the Hokies, Virginia Tech now boasts the No. 7 ranked transfer portal class.

In addition to these new recruits, the team benefits from a wealth of returning talent. The return of former head coach Brent Pry, now serving as the defensive coordinator, adds further strength to their lineup.

Confident Outlook from ACC Media Days

During ACC Media Days, Franklin highlighted his confidence in the Hokies following a successful offseason. He stated, “We have won the offseason. We have had a great offseason,” as reported by college football insider Brett McMurphy of On3 Sports.

Franklin emphasized the progress made, noting, “We are bigger, we are stronger, we are faster than we have been. There’s no doubt about that. We’ve won the offseason. That’s a great soundbite. The reality is we’ve got to make sure those things translate to the season.”

Background and Expectations

Despite a strong track record of at least 10 victories in each of the previous three seasons, Penn State dismissed Franklin after a 3-3 start to the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech aims to rebound from their recent three-win season in 2025.

The Hokies’ 2026 journey begins with a matchup against VMI scheduled for September 5. The team looks forward to showcasing the improvements highlighted by Franklin.