Over the last month, James Franklin has been on a recruiting heater at Virginia Tech. It started on the defensive side of the ball with a handful of commitments to defensive line coach Sean Spencer. Then the focus went to the offensive side of the ball and some position coaches, as well as new offensive coordinator Ty Howle.
Franklin was collecting commitments at running back and wide receiver. Then, earlier this month, he secured a commitment from four-star Peter Bourque from Massachusetts. The Michigan de-committed picked the Hokies over Georgia and Penn State. On Monday, Virginia Tech picked up a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Kaden Buchanan from Tennessee. That was a home run commitment for offensive line coach Matt Moore over Kentucky and North Carolina State.
When it comes to tight ends in the Class of 2027, the Hokies already had one from three-star Braxton Salster from Alabama. On Tuesday night, Franklin stayed on his recruiting heater when he picked up a commitment from an elite four-star tight end from Ohio.
Virginia Tech picks up commitment from 4-star tight end Jordan Karhoff from Ohio
Four-star elite tight end Jordan Karhoff of Columbus (Ohio) St. Francis de Sales committed to the Hokies, and it continues building a position at Virginia Tech that has been underused in recent seasons. With Franklin and Howle in Blacksburg, times are changing when it comes to the tight end position and its use.
Karhoff is the 12th-ranked tight end in the country in his class and the ninth-ranked prospect in the state of Ohio, according to 247Sports. He picked Virginia Tech over Miami and Texas A&M. He is the 15th commit in the Class of 2027 and the fourth 4-star commit. The rich keep getting richer.
BREAKING: Four-Star TE Jordan Karhoff has Committed to Virginia Tech, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 27, 2026
The 6’5 227 TE from Columbus, OH chose the Hokies over Miami
He’s the No. 7 TE in the 2027 Rivals300
“Thank you Jesus 🙏 This is home 🦃” https://t.co/SecNOYNH7S pic.twitter.com/mx2MzVfDUU
Karhoff has been someone who has been on Franklin and Howle's radar since their Penn State days. When Franklin was fired in State College and hired in Blacksburg, Howle followed him and was named offensive coordinator after being the tight ends coach with the Nittany Lions. According to Karhoff, the familiarity with Franklin and Howle played a huge role in his commitment to Virginia Tech.
"I like their coaching staff a lot," he told 247Sports earlier this spring. "I've known them since they've been at Penn Statre. I really like coach James Franklin, coach Ty Howle. And I know a lot of people at VT, so there's a lot of familiarity there."
This is just another statement of commitment for James Franklin at Virginia Tech. What he is doing in recruiting is something that Hokies fans have been waiting for. He has a Top 15 class, but don't be shocked if it's a Top class very soon. Right now, Virginia Tech is getting commitments from players over Georgia, Penn State, Miami, and Texas A&M. Again, fans have been waiting a long time for a stat like that. Heck, even went into Columbus, Ohio, and plucked Karhoff right out from under Ryan Day and Ohio State.
Times are changing in Blacksburg. The tight end position is going to be one that is used more and more. Franklin and Howle are going to turn that position into one where teams are going to have to gameplan for, something they didn't have to before this season.
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