Going into the 2026 season, first-year Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin has some good transfers who are going to make an impact, along with some players he retained from the 2025 roster. Also coming in are some promising freshmen who are expected to push some of the transfers and returners for playing time.
It is very difficult for some freshmen to crack a depth chart in their first season, but never say never when you have as talented a class as Franklin has coming in. With that said, here are three freshmen who could make an impact in 2026 for Virginia Tech.
3 incoming Virginia Tech freshmen to watch when the 2026 season begins
Messiah Mickens, RB
It might be difficult for a four-star running back, Messiah Mickens, to crack the lineup with a deep and talented running back room, but the 5-foot-10 back is very athletic and shifty. He is one more highly rated running back to come through the program and was flipped from Penn State to Virginia Tech by Franklin after he was hired.
The running back room, when healthy, is deep with Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton, Jr. back and Bill Davis added through the Transfer Portal. However, a solid camp and Mickens will be difficult to keep off the field in 2026.
Davion Brown, WR
Virginia Tech has two top receivers in Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown and Ayden Greene, but after that, there are some openings for playing time. There are some returners and younger receivers who are making the case to get some reps, but freshman Davion Brown has impressed so far in camp.
Brown has great explosiveness for a freshman and has already turned some heads in drills, making catches. A four-star coming out of Trinity Episcopal High School in Virginia, he was the No. 1-rated wide receiver in the Class of 2026. It wouldn't be surprising to see him make an impact in 2026.
Benjamin Eziuka, OL
One position that is a work in progress is along the offensive line. If there is a spot where a freshman could crack in 2026, it's there. One name to watch as the season goes along with Benjamin Eziuka. The sixth-ranked overall recruit out of Michigan, Eziuka has the athletic ability and size at 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds to be able to handle some playing time.
Injuries have already piled up along the offensive line with Johnny Garrett, which opens the door for one spot to begin the season. Eziuka is someone who could slide into game action at some point this fall.
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