Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin has already relentlessly targeted the top ranked members of Penn State's 2026 recruiting class, to bring with him to Blacksburg. (Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
After a 12-season run ended with embarrassing losses, Penn State Fans were happy to see James Franklin go. Until Virginia Tech hired him, that is.
Now, the program is experiencing the fallout of that decision.
The Aftermath: Penn State Relief Turns to Recruiting Trail Pain
Huhn’s Elite Senior Stats: Why His Decommitment is Critical for PSU Offense
Quarterback Troy Huhn, the top-ranked uncommitted QB, had decommitted from Penn State just four days after Franklin was fired.
Huhn hails from California and was an incredibly efficient passer with 75% of his passes completed for 2,438 yards in his senior year.
Huhn joins a list of Penn-State-turned-Virginia-Tech commits that is now eight names long and includes three-star linebacker Mathieu Lamah, No. 13 running back Messiah Mickens, four-star wide receiver Davion Brown, and a handful of other players.
Roster Crisis: Franklin’s Poaching Threatens Penn State’s Next Three Years
Those losses are significant.
Especially because some of the highest-ranked recruits were on the offensive side of the ball, where this team has struggled frequently this season and where seniors have filled significant roles.
Unless the Nittany Lions can land a coach who brings along his own stable of high-ranking recruits, this Penn State football team could struggle for the next year or three.
While the team is loaded with talent now, many of those players are either graduating, transferring, or still in danger of being poached by Franklin.
- QB Troy Huhn to VT: The Massive Recruiting Fallout From James Franklin’s Penn State Exit - December 2, 2025
- What History Says About Penn State Hiring Terry Smith … And Why the Risk Is Real - November 26, 2025
- Penn State Football: Terry Smith has Risen to the Moment, But Does he Raise the Ceiling? - November 24, 2025
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