As there is going into every single season for college football, there are a lot more questions than answers about a lot of teams. One of those teams this season will be Virginia Tech. Under first-year head coach James Franklin, the Hokies are a giant question mark.
It's hard to envision them going 3-9 as they did in 2025. I know, that's not going out on a limb. However, Franklin has done a tremendous job in terms of adding players through the Transfer Portal and getting some key retention. Who knows, just maybe a true freshman or two will step up and make an impact.
Regardless, expectations are high in Blacksburg, and how could they not be after what the fanbase went through last season? The vibes are a lot higher not only for the upcoming season, but also for the future under Franklin and his staff.
Bill Connelly of ESPN broke down the ACC for the upcoming season and said what a lot of national writers and analysts will say about the 2026 Virginia Tech Hokies in Year 1 under Franklin.
ESPN's Bill Connelly said what a lot of analysts will agree with on 2026 Virginia Tech Hokies
When breaking down Virginia Tech and the rest of the ACC, he didn't beat around the bush when it came to the Hokies.
"His Hokies are one of the hardest teams to project for 2026, though. Franklin put together an excellent recruiting class (with plenty of prospects who flipped their Penn State commitments), but that will be only so helpful in Year 1. He's instead going to be reliant on a mix of transfers -- and I like the transfer haul quite a bit -- and holdovers from a team that underachieved quite a bit in Brent Pry's final season in charge,'' wrote Connelly.
He does have a big mix of returners and transfers that are going to make an impact in 2026. Penn State transfers Ethan Grunkemeyer and Luke Reynolds will lead the way of newcomers on offense, with Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown at wide receiver. Franklin got some key retention from running backs Jeffrey Overton, Jr., and Marcellous Hawkins, while wide receiver Ayden Greene is back for another season at Virginia Tech.
As far as the defense goes, Troy transfer and cornerback Jaquez White is one of Connelly's top transfers that he's looking forward to seeing play, but on this side of the ball, there was some key retention as well. Special teams will have kicker John Love back, one of the top legs and place kickers in the ACC.
When all is said and done, there is no doubt that Virginia Tech is one of the biggest unknowns going into 2026. Seven or eight wins seems a little more realistic; however, could the Hokies surprise with a nine-win season? Maybe never count out a James Franklin team. A lot of that will depend on the health of some key players, but anything is possible come September in Blacksburg.
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