Virginia Tech flips 2026 DL T-Ron Richardson from Oklahoma

Hopewell (Va.) three-star defensive lineman T-Ron Richardson has committed to Virginia Tech less than 24 hours after backing off his pledge to Oklahoma, he told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

Richardson was pledged to the Sooners since Aug. 26, but took an official visit with the Hokies over the weekend. He opted to stay home instead of heading to Norman, joining a rapidly growing class under new coach James Franklin.

Earlier this week, before he decommitted, Richardson told Rivals’ Chad Simmons that he “really likes” Franklin and the people at Virginia Tech. The Hokies’ previous staff under Brent Key also hosted him for an official visit this summer.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder is the No. 590 overall prospect and No. 65 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 15 recruit in Virginia.

Rivals, however, is higher on Richardson than both 247Sports and ESPN. In the most recent rankings update, he was rated a high three-star prospect and tabbed as the nation’s No. 42 defensive lineman.

Hokies on an electric recruiting run

Since becoming the Hokies’ head man, Franklin has landed 12 commitments, eight of which came in the past three days. The Hokies now have the No. 30 class in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. On the morning of Nov. 25, they had seven total commits and the No. 121 class in the country.

Four-star running back Messiah Mickens, four-star tight end Pierce Petersohn and four-star quarterback Troy Huhn headline the new additions. Each of those three were previously committed to Franklin when he was Penn State.

Tuesday alone has brought the Hokies commitments from Richardson, four-star wideout Davion Brown and three-star offensive lineman Benjamin Eziuka — the later two flipping from the Nittany Lions.