Former Penn State commit Pierce Petersohn has flipped to Virginia Tech. (Nick Brown)

Pierce Petersohn
Tight End/Wide Receiver, Class of 2026
Triton, Dodge Center, Minn.
6-5, 200

Virginia Tech and James Franklin officially flipped Minnesota native Pierce Petersohn from Penn State on Thanksgiving day.

While other schools were pursuing Petersohn as a linebacker, the Nittany Lions recruited him as a tight end, and that carried over to the Franklin era in Blacksburg. Petersohn visited on Nov. 22 and committed shortly after.

He’s thin at 200 pounds, meaning it’s unlikely he’d play an in-line tight end role. For comparison, the Hokies’ five tight ends on the roster are anywhere between 231 (Cole Reemsnyder) to 255 (Ja’Ricous Hairston). Petersohn could be more suited for a wide receiver role.

He originally committed to Penn State back on June 25 over his in-state Golden Gophers. He’s from Dodge Center, Minn., about 90 minutes south of Minneapolis. Iowa State was also involved, and held other offers from Duke, Iowa, Kansas State and Northwestern.

Here’s how the recruiting services break down Petersohn as a prospect:

  • Rivals: Four-star, No. 1 in Minnesota, No. 16 tight end, No. 252 overall
  • ESPN: Four-star, No. 3 in Minnesota, No. 16 tight end, No. 293 overall
  • 247Sports: Three-star, No. 4 in Minnesota, No. 22 tight end

Petersohn played quarterback at Triton High School and threw for 1,479 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior while adding nine scores on the ground. He also picked off three passes on the defensive side of the ball. Moreover, he’s a multi-sport athlete who played basketball and ran track and field.

He’s the second tight end recruit in Tech’s 2026 class, joining Groveland, Fla., native Isaiah Pina.

Petersohn is also the Hokies’ fourth commitment of the Franklin era and the third on Thanksgiving day, joining running back Messiah Mickens and offensive linemen Roseby Lubintus and Marlen Bright.

Pierce Petersohn Links:

247Sports Hudl  Rivals Twitter