Spring practices are underway for James Franklin and the Virginia Tech football team. As is the case every season, the beginning of spring practices also means recruiting is going to heat up. Members of the Class of 2027 are locking in visit dates to schools, and the Hokies are lining up some key visits.
One player that Franklin and his staff are making a priority is Woodberry Forest offensive tackle Junior Sanders. He is generating a lot of interest from schools and is someone who will test Virginia Tech's in-state recruiting success under Franklin and the new staff. Kolby Crawford of VTScoop dropped a Cyrstal Ball prediction for Sanders to commit to Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-6, 279-pound four-star is scheduled to make an official visit in early June to Blacksburg, but he is also being heavily recruited by Virginia and South Carolina. Offensive line coach Matt Moore, retained by Brent Pry's staff, will be key in Sanders' recruiting.
Virginia Tech recruit posts funny graphic
Class of 2027 defensive tackle Jaxon Pacheco from New Jersey is going to be taking a visit to Virginia Tech and meet with new defensive line coach Sean Spencer. Generally, when recruits announce on X that they are going to be taking a visit somewhere, they don't get too crazy with the post. Pacheco was different and dropped a crazy graphic.
Virginia here we come!
— Jaxon Pacheco (Puh-CHEE-koh) (@Jax2027) March 16, 2026
Looking forward to our visit to @HokiesFB.
Appreciate the invite @SpenceChaos, looking forward to meeting you in person.🙌🏼
Jaxon Pacheco | DT 3-tech | 6’2 | 290lbs | Class of 2027 | Brick NJ
Loyalty. Culture. Grind. Growth.
Head Coach: @jmahoneybmhs… pic.twitter.com/E2FWrRtZUX
Now that is a terrific graphic and maybe one of the best posts from a player making an official visit. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Brick, NJ native certainly gets an A+ for creativity.
James Franklin is a big Ayden Greene fan
Franklin made it clear when he was hired that he was going to recruit the current roster for retention. One of those players that he was able to retain was wide receiver Ayden Greene. Given the current state of college sports, it is extremely rare nowadays that a player spends his entire career at one school. Greene is doing that and has impressed his new coach.
"Yeah, I've been a big AG fan, Ayden Greene, really from the beginning,'' said Franklin. "He was part of last year's leadership council. I met with those guys. I also think it is awesome in today's college football when you see a guy that his entire career has been at one institution. That guy's made a commitment to this place. He has bled, sweat, and cried for this program, during adversity.''
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Nashville native has 55 receptions for 840 yards and five touchdowns during his time with the Hokies. He should be a big part of the offense in 2026 under first-year offensive coordinator Ty Howle with Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.