James Franklin continues plucking Penn State transfers to Virginia Tech

When Virginia Tech hired James Franklin as football coach, you knew there was a chance that there would be some of his former players following him to Blacksburg from State College. Of course, in this day and age of the Transfer Portal, changes can happen at any time during the cycle, but you got the feeling that there were going to be some players following their former coach.

Entering Tuesday, the Hokies had already received commitments in the portal from former Penn State players Matt Henderson at tight end and Daniel Jennings on the defensive line. There is also the chance that quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer makes the move to Virginia Tech in the portal, although that hasn't become official yet.

On Tuesday night, the Penn State to Virginia Tech pipeline through the Transfer Portal continued when Franklin landed a third former Nittany Lions player in Blacksburg.

Former Penn State WR Jeff Exinor commits to Virginia Tech

Class of 2025 wide receiver Jeff Exinor committed to Virginia Tech and will have four years of eligibility remaining when the 2026 season begins. During his recruitment out of high school, the Owings Mills, Maryland native had Virginia Tech as one of his finalists, along with Maryland and Penn State, before choosing the Nittany Lions.

The Virginia Tech program is well-known to Exinor, who was recruited by receivers coach Fontel Mines, and the two will be reunited in the same room for 2026. Exinor will join a wide receiver room that returns Ayden Greene, who was Virginia Tech's top wide receiver in 2025 with 31 catches and 516 yards. Some promising young receivers are coming back as well, but there is no doubt that Exinor comes to the Hokeis with a big opportunity to get some playing time next season and make an impact for new offensive coordinator Ty Howle.