When Virginia Tech hired James Franklin in mid-November, it sent shock waves throughout the fanbase. They finally had someone who could lead the program back down the road that Frank Beamer had it on. It's been over a decade since there has been a feeling like this around the program.
Once Franklin was hired, you knew that there was going to be some major overhaul with the roster. Whether it was with additions coming from the Class of 2026 or through the Transfer Portal, you just knew that players in some capacity were going to follow Franklin to Blacksburg.
There was also going to be some retention, and there were certain players that Franklin targeted. Running back Macellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton, Jr. announced that they were coming back, as did wide receiver Ayden Greene. It is early in the first spring practice for Virginia Tech under Franklin, but impacts are already being felt. They are being noticed by players who were with the program the last couple of seasons.
Virginia Tech WR Ayden Greene doesn't beat around the bush about the new-look roster under James Franklin
Greene has been around the program the last couple of seasons. If there is someone who could really benefit from Franklin and Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, it's Greene. He is primed for a big breakout season. However, injuries could play a role in a season as they do for every team. Greene doesn't think that there is going to be a big drop in 2026 for the Hokies should the depth be tested.
"Night and day difference,'' said Greene. "Night and day difference from an aspect of depth. We got depth at every position, but when I say depth, I mean guys that can, say our starter goes down, a two could start, the two can play, and we could win with the two. The three could start, the three could play, and we could win with the three. We have talent all across the board; there isn't much of a fall off from the starter to the two to the three to the four. It's a night-and-day difference, and we're only in practice four. I can see it all over the field through these spring practices.''
Virginia Tech fans will have big expectations going into 2026, but as we all know, we've been down this road recently of high expectations only to be disappointed. This time, however, feels different under Franklin with all the changes that have been made over the last four months.