ESPN analyst: ‘I feel the momentum’ with 2026 Virginia Tech Hokies

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The Virginia Tech Hokies have been on a recruiting heater since hiring James Franklin as head coach in November. Franklin quickly put together a top-25 class for 2026 in a matter of weeks after only being on the job for a short time.

After another successful period with the transfer portal in January, everyone’s attention then turned to the 2027 recruiting class. Since March, Franklin and his staff have added 22 commitments, good enough for a class that’s currently ranked No. 6 nationally, according to 247Sports. And they aren’t done.

When you consider everything that has surrounded the football program since Franklin’s arrival, it’s hard not to get excited.

Fans have had false hope for years. Many knew things would change when the season began, but talked themselves into believing. It really is different this time around. The Hokies have an intriguing mix of returning players, transfer additions, and young players for 2026.

Taylor Tannebaum is all-in on the Hokies.

The ESPN reporter is also a host of the ACC Huddle on the ACC Network, so she’s familiar with every ACC program. She recently joined the “Gramlich and Mac Lain” podcast with fellow ACC Network hosts Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain, sharing her thoughts on Franklin and the Hokies.

“James Franklin has proven to build and rebuild and continue to build every stop he’s been at, Vanderbilt and Penn State,” Tannebaum said. “I feel the momentum. I see it. As I already said, they have like a top-20 newcomer class in the country. I like their quarterback, who’s had real-time Big Ten experience in Ethan Grunkemeyer. The 2027 class is already one of the best in the country, not that they’re going to be on the field this year. But I think the expectation level is raised there. You’re seeing the buy-in from the donors. I just think there’s some real juice there, and I think they can capitalize on the schedule that they have.”

Tannebaum said she believes the home-field advantage that Lane Stadium always brought, but has disappeared in recent years, returns this year.

Mac Lain said it best.

“I dream, late at night, of what Lane Stadium looks like with a top 20 team, top 15 team,” he said. “Like, I just need that in my life.”

We hear you, Eric. We do, too.

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