two questions for CC, David or anyone on recruiting
First, VT seems to be doing well thus far recruiting OL, running back, receiver, DL, and even the defensive backfield; but so far is having trouble at LB. Brent formerly was a great recruiter of LBs at Happy Valley. Do you think his lack of success as head coach has hurt his ability to recruit as position coach?
secondly, how does the quality and number of recruits at this stage of recruiting for 2027 compare to previous classes for Pry, Fuente and Beamer?
23 Replies
2mo
the issue there was Pry being too hands off with Marve and not directly involved. But you mentioned his LB recruiting success at PSU which makes me curious how many of their star LB's were guys he was the primary on, vs. tagging along or supporting as the position coach.
Did they land a few studs that made him look like an LB whisperer, similar to Fuente, the QB whisperer that actually wasn't?
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
2mo
If anything I think we were just excited to see a staff walking the halls of VA high schools. I'll start with the positive. As pedestrian as we were on offense, I feel like he did a decent job bringing in WR and RB talent. Overton was a legit blue chip recruit, and our transfer RBs were among the best. I also thought our WR recruiting was decent. He picked up some highly rated ones that haven't broken out yet, but I think one or two will. A few of them are guys that could have gone anywhere.
However our recruiting in the trenches wasn't great under Pry, it's like we forgot that the offensive tackle position exists. I think we landed like two from HS in three years, and one of those washed out. In a nutshell I think the only classes that compares to what Franklin is doing right now on paper is Fuente's best class, and Beamer's better classes. With that said even though Fuente's best class was ranked 26th, there was high bust ratio IMO, so I really can't count that one. So IMO what Franklin is doing really only compares to Beamer's best classes. As for LBs I'm not sweating it, recruits are speaking very highly of Pry, and to be honest, he has a lot of help. We picked up blue chip 8th in the nation ranked LB Wiggins in Franklin's first recruiting class. I doubt we strike out this year.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
2mo
Heath is still below avg WR and maybe one of the youngers guys will develop. But I think from reading between the lines, the younger guys still aren't remotely there yet.
(In response to this post by TekkNerd)
2mo
VT lost the plot during the Fuente era, especially in state, mainly because of
1) Horrendous underfunding / letting off the gas
2) Fuente's toxic culture and backwards recruiting approach
Pry was hired primarily to fix #2, through just "being more like Frank", with a family culture and tight instate relationships. #1 wasn't addressed in any serious way at all. It was all so myopic and ill-conceived.
Moreover, NIL made #2 officially obsolete before he even put his first full class together. It was literally like buying a new model fax machine the day before email explodes. This was compounded by some of the worst financial support in the ACC.
Without this new huge cash infusion, Franklin would honestly be picking up where Pry left off.
(In response to this post by TekkNerd)
2mo
(In response to this post by TekkNerd)
2mo
He was only our coach for three seasons. Tuten was drafted, I think Overton probably will be, however I get your point, the bottom line is under Pry we were sprinkling in a handful of decent guys with a whole lot of average and below average.
(In response to this post by UTPr0sim)
2mo
I saw Pry on Wednesday night at the Braves game, haha. He told me he was in Georgia recruiting. I think we have to give it a cycle before we can judge him as a recruiter as a position coach.
Can't compare recruiting these days to past years because of the $ situation, plus everyone will take more players now the scholarship limit is 105.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
2mo
targets. Its not on your timeline but the timeline of the recruits. Lack of a committment at a particular position may or may not have anything to do with success.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
2mo
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
S
seacain
2mo
(In response to this post by Tombo)
2mo
who submitted the post ...asking for a friend.
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
2mo
actually I think we may be ahead of our normal standing at this point. Do you have an opinion on those issues?
** Edited by lazarus1 at 5/4/2026, 4:37:28 PM
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
2mo
Our class is currently ranked #20 which is on par or higher than any class in VT history. I suspect we stay at or even a bit above this level when all is said and done. Franklin is a recruiting savant.
** Edited by VT ChemE 1986 at 5/4/2026, 5:05:21 PM
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
R
RJHokie
2mo
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
K
KCHokie2
2mo
** Edited by KCHokie2 at 5/4/2026, 7:56:38 PM
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2mo
A very entertaining band featuring Jimmy Herring on guitar.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2mo
Former brother-in-law of a Hokie & big-time Hokie football fan
(In response to this post by Coattail Hokie)
2mo
not every question is a 'panic' question. Do you have an opinion on those questions?
** Edited by lazarus1 at 5/4/2026, 4:36:08 PM
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
R
RJHokie
2mo
But it’s all a crapshoot anyway. Generally only a third make significant impacts.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)