<a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/james-franklin-131195/">James Franklin</a> is the new head coach of <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/virginia-tech-hokies/">Virginia Tech</a>, and with National Signing Day just a couple of weeks away, he’s looking to work quick to rebuild the Hokies’ 2026 recruiting class.



Blackwood (N.J.) Timber Creek three-star offensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/roseby-lubintus-241353/">Roseby Lubintus</a> originally committed to <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/penn-state-nittany-lions/">Penn State</a> and Franklin back in April. He then flipped to <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/syracuse-orange/">Syracuse</a> in July, but decommitted from the Orange last month.



Now looking for his home at the next level once again, Lubintus has added an offer from Virginia Tech just hours after Franklin was officially announced as the new head coach of the Hokies.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">After a great phone call with <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjfranklin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjfranklin</a> I am grateful and thankful to receive an offer from Virginia Tech! 🦃 <a href="https://t.co/uXN6DRBuBd">pic.twitter.com/uXN6DRBuBd</a>— Roseby “Purgatory” Lubintus ⭐️⭐️⭐️🇭🇹 (@RosebyLubintus) <a href="https://twitter.com/RosebyLubintus/status/1990621804239729078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Lubintus is the No. 879 overall prospect and No. 62 OT in the 2026 cycle, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-player/football/2026/">Rivals Industry Ranking</a>, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 16 recruit in New Jersey.



The hiring of Franklin has myriad recruits with ties to him, Penn State or Virginia Tech excited about the future in Blacksburg. While there won’t be much time for the new staff to add bodies to the 2026 class, Franklin isn’t wasting any time.



<a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/recruits-react-to-virginia-tech-hiring-james-franklin/">Rivals has the latest reactions from recruits about Virginia Tech bringing in Franklin</a>.



To date, Virginia Tech has just eight commits in its 2026 class: Washington (D.C.) St. John’s interior offensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/adrian-hamilton-177453/">Adrian Hamilton</a>, Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/cole-bergeron-248734/">Cole Bergeron</a>, Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown safety <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/zaevion-cleveland-244432/">Zaevion Cleveland</a>, Woodberry Forest (Va.) offensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/buddy-wegdam-242942/">Buddy Wegdam</a>, Leland (N.C.) North Brunswick OT <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/tyrell-simpson-244116/">Tyrell Simpson</a>, Clermont (Fla.) South Lake tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/isaiah-pina-281375/">Isaiah Pina</a>, Virginia Beach Green Run EDGE <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/kamren-johnson-237835/">Kamren Johnson</a> and Spartanburg (S.C.) kicker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/will-love-250599/">Will Love</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virginia-tech-hires-james-franklin">Virginia Tech hires James Franklin</h2>



On3’s Pete Nakos has more on <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/virginia-tech-hiring-former-penn-state-coach-james-franklin/">the groundbreaking hire in Blacksburg</a>:



“Franklin was the top target for the Hokies in recent weeks, and the waiting game paid off. A memorandum of understanding has been in place since at least Saturday night, sources told On3, and Franklin has now signaled he’s ready to go. Along with a growing athletic department budget, Virginia Tech has committed to funding a roster at the top of the ACC for James Franklin, sources added.



But Franklin is viewed as one of the top coaches in the sport, finding success as a head coach at Vanderbilt and Penn State. He has a 128–60 overall FBS record and has been a sought-after candidate with his lengthy coaching resume.



Franklin replaces <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/brent-pry-131145/">Brent Pry</a>, his former Penn State defensive coordinator, who went 16–24 in four seasons. Frank Beamer built Virginia Tech up to a destination job in the ACC, winning seven league titles and playing for a national title in 2000. The Hokies have not played for an ACC championship since 2016.



The Virginia Tech board of visitors approved a plan to add $229 million to its athletics budget over the next four years in September. The decision pushes Virginia Tech to the top of the ACC in funding, along with its peers.”

Syndication: USA TODAY

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