James Franklin has hit the ground running when it comes to recruiting at Virginia Tech. The former Penn State coach has two dozen commitments in the Class of 2027, with more targets still undecided on where they will commit.
There was one recruiting target in the Class of 2027 that was a priority for the Hokies. Four-star edge Chris Whitehead from Virginia. This was a commitment that Virginia Tech needed and was in teh mix for. There have been too many situations where programs have come into the Commonwealth and plucked the top talent. This was a recruitment that was going to test Franklin's recruiting in Blacksburg.
Four-star edge Chris Whitehead commits to LSU
Again, this was a recruitment that was going to test Franklin's ability to recruit in Virginia since being hired at Virginia Tech, but on Wednesday, Whitehead committed to Lane Kiffin and LSU. Whitehead is the eighth-ranked pass rusher according to Rivals and the 53rd-ranked player. He is the 13th commitment to Kiffin in the Class of 2027 and the ninth this month. He committed on an unofficial visit.
This is certainly a blow to the Hokies' Class of 2027, as keeping him home was going to be huge. However, on the flip side, it was going to be hard to get him. As far as Franklin goes, this might be a case of recruits needing to see some results at Virginia Tech before committing and staying home. The results are going to come over time, and that should help the recruiting.
Whitehead was someone, who the Hokies needed, but in the overall big picture, Franklin and his staff have done a nice job with the class to date, with more targets committing soon. Give Franklin time in Blacksburg to cook, and once he does, this type of recruitment is eventually going to go in his direction. Just like everything else, it's going to take time.
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