The commitments keep coming for Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin. Since the portal opened up last Friday, the Hokies' new head coach has landed some commitments, with three of them coming from former Penn State players.
Last Monday night, Franklin picked up another commitment, this time from an SEC school. Missouri freshman edge Javion Hilson committed to Franklin after one season with the Tigers, where he played in three games before redshirting. He'll have four years of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Florida native was a four-star coming out of high school by most outlets, but was rated as a five-star by Rivals.
Michigan State OT commits to Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech offensive line coach Matt Moore is still rebuilding the Hokies' line, and he has had some players enter the portal, including freshman Carter Stallard. Moore continues adding more young players to the line and added one through the portal.
Michigan State transfer Justin Bell committed to the Hokies. The 6-foot-6, 311-pound tackle did not play in a game for the Spartans in 2025 and has four years of eligibility remaining. Bell and Moore have a connection as Moore recruited him out of high school when he was the OL coach at West Virginia before coming to Blacksburg.
Crystal Ball prediction has Hokies landing another Penn State transfer
Coming out of McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, native Jeff Exinor, Jr. picked Penn State over Virginia Tech when it was time to commit. The Class of 2025 talented wide receiver committed to Franklin once, and 247Sports has dropped a pair of Crystal Ball predictions for him to commit to his former coach again.
The 6-foot-1, 221-pound Exinor, Jr. entered the portal from Penn State, and Crawford has dropped a Crystal Ball prediction for Exinor Jr. to commit to Virginia Tech. It doesn't hurt Franklin to have Fontel Mines still on staff as a recruiter, a role in which he thrived under former coach Brent Pry.