James Franklin and his staff are making some big strides in the Transfer Portal in terms of additions to the Virginia Tech roster for 2026. There needs to be a rather big makeover with the roster that went 3-9 in 2025. Franklin has done a nice job of retaining some of the current players on the roster and some young ones that have bright futures.
Franklin has made an effort to add some former Penn State players through the portal. So far, he has four commitments from State College to Blacksburg, with one more, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, waiting in the wings. Franklin has added two players on both sides of the ball, including tight end Matt Henderson. Could he be joined by another former Penn State teammate at Virginia Tech?
Former Virginia Tech WR commit hits the portal
Former head coach and defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, made recruiting in the Commonwealth a priority after the previous staff struggled in that area. Franklin has always done well in Virginia when he was at Penn State, and Labor Day Weekend back in 2024, he pulled off a flip from his former DC and the Hokies.
After Virginia Tech lost its season opener at Vanderbilt in overtime, the next day, four-star wide receiver Matthew Outten flipped his commitment from Virginia Tech to Penn State. It was a sudden move at the time and another win for Franklin. However, on Thursday, it was reported that Outten was entering the Transfer Portal, and you would think that Virginia Tech, Franklin, and wide receivers coach Fontel Mines would get in the mix for him.
Outten, from Portsmouth, was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2025 and is familiar with Virginia Tech from his recruitment out of high school, and it only makes sense that they get into the mix with Franklin again.