When Massachusetts Class of 2027 four-star quarterback Peter Bourque de-committed from Michigan after the school parted ways with former coach Sherrone Moore, some of the top programs in the country got involved in his second recruitment.
When the dust settled, it came down to Georgia and Virginia Tech. Penn State was in the mix, but when it was clear that Bourque was not going to have them in his final two, they quickly pivoted to their backup, a three-star signal caller from Massachusetts.
James Franklin vs. Kirby Smart, Virginia Tech vs. Georgia is the type of recruiting battle that Hokies fans have been waiting for years (well, at least a decade). Bourque made his decision on Thursday afternoon, and he committed to Franklin and quarterback Danny O'Brien at Virginia Tech.
Peter Bourque explains reasoning for committing to James Franklin and Virginia Tech
Franklin and O'Brien are known to Bourque, who picked Michigan over Penn State when he first committed. They were heavily recruiting him, and it wasn't surprising that once he de-committed, they made him a priority again. So, why did he pick the Hokies over the Bulldogs?
“This is awesome,” Bourque said. “I have full trust in the staff at Virginia Tech and I loved the school when I visited. I think it is the right place for me and I am super pumped.
“Coach Franklin was the first big-school coach to believe in me. When he was at Penn State, they were my fifth offer and that meant a lot. It was a super tough decision when it was down to them and Michigan. Virginia Tech was serious right after I decommitted and it worked out.”
Again, it's not about the school anymore when it comes to committing, but relationships and coaches. Franklin and O'Brien were after Bourque during his first recruitment and stayed true this time around as well.
Bourque still has one more season remaining at Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass., before he can think about going to Blacksburg. When he does arrive at Virginia Tech, it will be interesting to see how things shake out at the quarterback position and who is there and who isn't. It's a very young room this fall for Franklin and O'Brien.
Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer just completed his first year in State College, North Carolina transfer Bryce Baker, who is also young. Kelden Ryan is back after his freshman season in Blacksburg, and true freshman Troy Huhn is on the roster after flipping his commitment from Penn State to Virginia Tech following Franklin being hired.
Virginia Tech got a good quarterback, the seventh-ranked in the Class of 2027. This is a player that the Hokies would not have shot at unless Franklin was the head coach. The veteran coach will make a lot of changes in Blacksburg, and it's already started. Recruiting will go to another level under the new boss, and it is something that Hokies fans have been waiting for. It's only a matter of time before this class is a Top 10 class when all is said and done.
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