Despite not playing in a bowl game, it was still a big month of December for the Virginia Tech football program. There were some additions and subtractions from the program, and that's where we'll begin our December review for the Hokies football program.
Now that December has come to a close, things are going to really heat up in terms of a key time of year for new Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin. Hired in November, he has already signed a Top 25 Class of 2026, and now he'll look to add for next season through the Transfer Portal.
That opens up on Friday, and there are going to be several potential targets and needs that he'll have. He'll need a quarterback or two after Garret Rangel and Pop Watson are entering the portal after Kyron Drones used up all of his eligibility. Wide receiver is another rather big name that is leaving in he portal as well for the Hokies. With a bigger NIL package and resources, look for Franklin to make some big additions that can make big impacts in 2026.
James Franklin rounds out coaching staff
As expected, there was some coaching movement with Brent Pry's old staff and Franklin retaining some of the staff, and some coaches left to find a new home for next season. Maybe the biggest and most stunning news was Pry returning to Blacksburg, three months after being fired, to be Franklin's defensive coordinator. The seeds were planted in November at Franklin's introductory press conference.
Leaving Virginia Tech is running backs coach Elijah Brooks, and he'll be at South Florida next year under first-year coach Brian Hartline. Cornerbacks coach Derek Jones is also leaving, but Franklin is retaining offensive line coach Matt Moore and wide receivers coach Fontel Mines. Those are two huge retentions by Franklin.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Franklin is targeting former Virginia Tech standout Anthony Midget to be his cornerbacks coach. Midget is currently the assistant secondary coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
James Franklin strikes gold in recruiting
When Franklin was hired at Virginia Tech, the Class of 2026 for the Hokies was buried near the bottom of the FBS, but three weeks on the job, and Virginia Tech all of a sudden has a Top 25 class. Franklin flipped several recruits and commits from Penn State to Virginia Tech, and he is already hitting the ground running with his staff on the Class of 2027. Recruiting is about to soar in Blacksburg.