January 2026 Football Recruiting Thread

By: TKP Staff on January 11, 2026, 11:34 AM | 61 comments

Discuss and share any recruiting topics for January 2026 that don't warrant their own threads. Commits and decommits warrant their own threads.

This recruiting thread is used to share information regarding VT-specific targets, PWO offers, scholarship offers, visits, camps, and general news, in addition to larger trends. In the interests of limiting load times, favor post links to tweets rather than embedding. And if you want to embed, please check the thread to see if a tweet was already embedded prior to adding it yourself.

[0]. Please do some digging to share original content (e.g. embed the original tweet, not a link to another post/website with said tweet), add context / relevant information.
[1] New commitments and decommitments deserve their own thread. Use your best judgement when creating new threads for portal entries.. Prioritize "impact" players leaving. Please read the brief best-practice tips at the top of the recruiting forum.
[2] Please copy and paste this template for future recruiting threads.

Forums: 
Recruiting
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.

Comments

Joe Lanza's picture Joe Lanza
PUBLISHER
| 5 months 3 weeks #

I recreated this thread with the template and stickied it in the forum. I don't have an easy way to copy over the couple of other comments.

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

No stress. See if I can piece it back together

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Junior Days are January 24th and January 31st for recruiting. Expect a number of offers surrounding those events.

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Hokies offer 2028 4 🌟 RB Kevin Hartsfield
RB, 6' 190 lbs
Covington GA

247Sports
3 🌟 247 ranking
4 🌟 94 rated composite

On3sports
4 🌟

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

HomebrewHokie08's picture HomebrewHokie08
🍺MAKES "BEER" ⚗️🦃
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I'm sorry? Twenty twenty-what? With the way recruiting is today, is like "that's nice", but file this under irrelevant for 2.5 years.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

VTacajoe's picture VTacajoe
DO OR DO NOT...
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Also note, 2028 is like tomorrow, time sped up once we jumped into this alternate dimension.

"Take care of the little things and the big things will come."

gtofever's picture gtofever | 5 months 3 weeks #
Name Yrs Status Ex / Flip Pos PosRk 247 Comp Ht Wt St High School
John-Patrick Oates Signed Ath 45 88 6'3 223 PA La Salle College (Wyndmoor)
Tyrell Grant Jr. Signed Ath 99 86 6'1 190 VA Nansemond River (Suffolk)
Zaevion Cleveland Signed CB 52 89 6'4 187 VA Green Run (Virginia Beach)
Amauri Polydor Signed CB 89 87 6'1 170 MD St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
Cam Chadwick Transfer UConn CB 162 84 6'0 185 NJ Immaculata (Somerville)
Jaquez White Transfer Troy CB 7 86 6'1 190 GA Pierce County (Blackshear)
Kamauryn Morgan 3 Transfer Baylor DE 15 91 6'5 251 TX South Oak Cliff (Dallas)
Javion Hilson Transfer Missouri DE 8 87 6'4 240 FL Cocoa
Daniel Jennings Transfer PSU DE 30 87 6'1 249 WV Princeton
Kamren Johnson Signed DE 134 85.11 6'4 225 VA Green Run (Virginia Beach)
T-Ron Richardson Signed DL 106 87 6'2.5 295 VA Hopewell (Hopewell)
Garrett Witherington Signed DL 120 87.33 6'5 290 AL Briarwood Christian (Birmingham)
Will Love Signed K 1 81 6'2 205 SC Spartanburg
Terry Wiggins Signed LB 11 94 6'2.5 197 PA Coatesville Area
Keon Wylie 2 Transfer PSU LB 17 87 6'2 225 PA Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia)
Tyson Harley Signed LB 26 89 6'4 215 DC Gonzaga
Mathieu Lamah Signed LB 69 88.78 6'3 220 VA Patriot (Nokesville)
Benjamin Eziuka Signed OL 41 89 6'3 315 MI Catholic Central (Novi)
Michael Troutman 4 Commit PSU OL 50 87 6'2 293 NJ DePaul Catholic (Wayne)
Buddy Wegdam Signed OL 155 85 6'6 280 VA Woodberry Forest
Logan Howland Transfer OK OT 27 89 6'6 322 NJ Hun School (Princeton)
Thomas Wilder Signed VT OT 34 90 6'6 295 VA Green Run (Virginia Beach)
Roseby Lubintus Signed PSU, Syr OT 50 87.67 6'5 330 NJ Timber Creek (Sicklerville)
Marlen Bright Signed PSU OT 52 88 6'7 290 NJ DePaul Catholic (Wayne)
Maddox Cochrane Signed Wisc OT 82 87.22 6'7 280 VA Benedictine (Richmond)
Justin Bell Transfer MichSt OT 84 85 6'6 311 MI Dakota (Macomb)
Tyrell Simpson Signed Rutgers OT 85 87 6'7 310 NC North Brunswick (Leland)
Nathan Totten Transfer Marshall P NR -- 6'1 230 KY Russell
Ethan Grunkemeyer 3 Commit PSU QB 11 93 6'2 207 OH Olentangy (Lewis Center)
Troy Huhn 4 Signed PSU QB 21 89 6'4.5 215 CA Mission Hills (San Marcos)
Bryce Baker 4 Commit UNC QB 25 87 6'3 205 NC East Forsyth (Kernersville)
Bill Davis Transfer LA RB 67 85 5'9 225 LA Riverside Academy (Reserve)
Messiah Mickens Signed PSU RB 14 92.26 5'10 210 PA Harrisburg
Pierce Petersohn Signed PSU TE 16 89 6'5 195 MN Triton (Dodge Center)
Matt Henderson Transfer PSU TE 24 86 6'5 246 VA Powhatan
Isaiah Pina Commit UF TE 129 84 6'6 225 FL South Lake (Groveland)
Jeff Exinor Jr. Transfer PSU WR 11 87 6'1 221 MD McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Davion "Fat Rat" Brown Signed PSU WR 38 89 6'1 195 VA Trinity Episcopal (Richmond)
Que'sean Brown 2 Duke WR 217 85 5'8 160 NC East Forsyth (Kernersville
Marlion Jackson LA Tech WR NR 86 6'2 205 GA Cherokee Bluff (Flowery Branch)

gtofever

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Jayden "JB " Broadie
C/o 27'
6'3 235lbs
ESPN 300
Rolesville HS
(EDGE Rusher) DE & OLB

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
4 🌟 90 247
4 🌟 90.4 247 Composite

On3sports
4 🌟 89.76 rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Chris whitehead
C/o 2027
6'4 225
LC Bird HS
Chesterfield VA
FBU Gatorade MVP

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
4 🌟 93 247
5 🌟 99 247 Composite
#20 Nationally and #4 EDGE

On3sports
4 🌟 94.58

Was considered a Penn State lean with Franklin.

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Alifeleti (Isitolo) Tuihalamaka
Co'27
DE/DT/TE/OT
6'4 260 lbs
Oaks Christian HS
West Lakes Village CA

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
4 🌟 90 rating 247
4 🌟 92.7 rating 247 Composite
Top 200

On3sports
4 🌟 87.55 rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Amari "Huncho" Vickerson
Class of 2027
DL
6"4 290 lbs
Cypress Ranch HS
Houston Tx

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3 🌟 88 247Sports
3 🌟 88 247 Composite

On3sports
3 🌟 85.3

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Zane Rowe

Class of '27
DE/TE
6'5 240lbs
Denton Guyer, TX

FBU All American
UA HS ALL AMERICAN
MaxPreps HS All American|

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
4 🌟 90 247Sports
4 🌟 96 247 Composite

On3sports
4 🌟 91.91 rating

ESPN Recruiting
4 🌟

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Kaden B. McCarty
Class of 27
Edge
6'2 215 lbs
Cypress Falls
Houston TX
Under Armour All American
Adidas FBU All American

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
4 🌟 90 rating
4 🌟 95 247 Composite

On3sports
4 🌟 91.76

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Shavezz Dixon
Class of 27
6'4 325 lbs
IOL
Lee County
Leesburg, GA
1st Team All State

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3🌟 87 rating
3🌟 87 247 Composite

On3sports
3 🌟 85 rating

ESPN Recruiting

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Rance Brown
Class of 27
Offensive Tackle
6'6 290 lbs
Brentwood Academy

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
No ranking

On3sports

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Jaiden Thompson
C/O 2027
6'4 ,300 lbs
OT DT C
Rockmart High
Rockmart GA

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3 🌟 88 rating 247
3 🌟 87 rating 247 Composite

On3sports
3 🌟 85 rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Terrance Warren III
Class of 27
OG/OT
6'5 330lbs
GW Carver
Columbus Ga

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3 🌟 89 247
3 🌟 88 247 Composite

On3sports
3 🌟 85 rating

ESPN Recruiting
3 🌟

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

Joe Lanza's picture Joe Lanza
PUBLISHER
| 5 months 3 weeks #

I heard from a #sauce that something big is coming for recruiting. I heard Whit and Franklin have been working on something related to a recruit and have been since last night. I didn't get more information than that, so keep on your toes TKP.

Little Bobby Tables's picture Little Bobby Tables
MEH. 😕
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

HomebrewHokie08's picture HomebrewHokie08
🍺MAKES "BEER" ⚗️🦃
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Whit is involved? Are we gonna let some kid make his announcement on the hood of a Lambo parked at the 50 yd line in Lane?

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Wagoneer's picture Wagoneer
I LIKE PANCAKES.
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I am hoping its Delane from OSU.

I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it.

one click shows Wagoneer's been around TKP for 7 years. Sheesh. Everyone take a nap, have a snickers or something.

heuplek's picture heuplek
🗿
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I want to see fighter jets and helicopters involved if we're going big.

(add if applicable) /s

maxANDcheese's picture maxANDcheese
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

A 2026 recruit? Maybe one of the VA Michigan commits?

Alum07's picture Alum07
🦃 LEG KING 🦃
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Are you saying it will continue to get better until morale improves?

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

Hokie2013's picture Hokie2013
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Are you saying that my morale cannot improve so that it can keep improving

Danny is always open

919hokie's picture 919hokie
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Love this development

hokienator's picture hokienator | 5 months 3 weeks # ^

You're telling me it can get even better than this?

Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

VTacajoe's picture VTacajoe
DO OR DO NOT...
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Sounds like some big Titters are dropping on us soon!

"Take care of the little things and the big things will come."

rabidgobbler's picture rabidgobbler
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

The Beard of DeChristopher's picture The Beard of DeChristopher
BEARDS > PEOPLE
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

This post made me titter

21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
MV7, MV5, LT3, Grant Wells, Braxton Burmeister, Ryan Willis, Josh Jackson, Jerod Evans, Michael Brewer, Tyrod Taylor, Sean Glennon, and Grant Noel. That's right, UVA. You couldn't beat Grant Noel.

VBVTUSCG's picture VBVTUSCG
🦃⚓
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

So was this an elaborate joke on the rash of commits over the weekend or is there actually something additional to come? 😅

VB born, class of '14

SoupHokie09's picture SoupHokie09
SOUP OR SALAD?
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I think it's a cheap ploy to get legs....

"Nooooooooooo!"
~What happened?
"James Franklin to Virginia Tech...."
~Fuck me......*sigh*
"Oh my God.... They're gonna take all our recruits... like WTF bro...."
~*squints eyes in disbelief*

07Hokie's picture 07Hokie
STATS AND DOG SPORTS
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Joe doesn't get legs.

Or at least his legs don't get included on the big board, because this is his site.

Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

SoupHokie09's picture SoupHokie09
SOUP OR SALAD?
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

yea.... I was just joking

"Nooooooooooo!"
~What happened?
"James Franklin to Virginia Tech...."
~Fuck me......*sigh*
"Oh my God.... They're gonna take all our recruits... like WTF bro...."
~*squints eyes in disbelief*

KingJames's picture KingJames
🥒🥒🥒🥒🥒
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

You can see his leg count on his profile though same with French or Shelton or any one that works for the site

Joe Lanza's picture Joe Lanza
PUBLISHER
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

It was information I heard from a trusted source.

VBVTUSCG's picture VBVTUSCG
🦃⚓
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

🫡

VB born, class of '14

McHokie540's picture McHokie540
🤮UVA💩
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Hmmm, timing seems to line up well with Faheem Delane entering portal 🤷🏼‍♂️

uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

VbVt2009's picture VbVt2009
| 5 months 2 weeks # ^

Looks like he's following his brother's move to LSU...

Reach for Excellence!

VT Football: It'll get after ya!

Proud Hokie since 2004.

maxANDcheese's picture maxANDcheese
| 5 months 2 weeks # ^

Any chance we hear about this today have the media team has finished welcoming our transfer players?

Shoog's picture Shoog
🤔
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Captain obvious here,
But man, what a change.
Its clear that they are going hard after lineman early on, and the range of recruits is much larger.

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Take into account I pulled most of these from Coach Spencer's and Coach Moore's timelines. I haven't finished scrolling the others but agree that the Line coaches have put in a ton of work recently to get us out there.

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

VPIhokieME's picture VPIhokieME
'_'
| 5 months 3 weeks #

My goodness...I figured our roster would look completely different next year but I didn't know how we were going to get there....this has been exciting. JMFF absolutely puttin' in the work on the front end - hope it pays off on the field!!

Onward and upward

smittyvt32949's picture smittyvt32949
📡VT RESEARCH📲
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Braylin Mills
C/O 2027
Offensive Tackle
6'7 330lbs
Houston County HS
Warner Robbins GA

247Sports
3 🌟 87 247
3 🌟 87.5 247 Composite

HUDL PROFILE

On3sports
3 🌟 85 rating

ESPN RECRUITING

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Justyn Perez
Class of 27
Offensive Lineman
6'3 309 lbs
Woodson County HS
Versailles, Kentucky

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3 🌟 86 247
3 🌟 85 247 Composite

On3sports
3 🌟 84.3 rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

Little Bobby Tables's picture Little Bobby Tables
MEH. 😕
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Coach Danielson?

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

From his Twitter Profile, appears to be Offensive Line assistant that came with Moore from WVU. Remember this year the new rule on unlimited on field coaches comes into effect so we will likely see a ton of new assistant positions we aren't used to.

Here is his Hokiesports profile
https://hokiesports.com/staff/jens-danielsen

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Portal Recruiting
Damier Minkah
Cornerback
6'1 183 lbs
Battlefield HS
Haymarket VA
Shepherd Transfer

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
3 🌟 86 247 transfer rating

On3sports
No transfer rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks #

Kendon Bauer
Class of 27
Offensive Tackle
6'6.5 315
Linganore HS
Frederick MD

2x First team all state
3a State Champ

HUDL PROFILE

247Sports
No ratings

On3sports
3 🌟 82 rating

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

gtofever's picture gtofever | 5 months 3 weeks #

Can the 2027 and later recruit offers be moved into their own thread?

gtofever

heuplek's picture heuplek
🗿
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Unprecedented levels of recruiting and portal recruiting has definitely made it hard to follow these big threads

(add if applicable) /s

Hokie2013's picture Hokie2013
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Remember when we didnt even need to have a recruiting thread

Danny is always open

smittyvt32949's picture smittyvt32949
📡VT RESEARCH📲
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Pain is Temporary, Chicks Dig Scars
Glory is Forever, Let's Go Hokies!!

HokieRif's picture HokieRif
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Kville Hokies's picture Kville Hokies
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Isn't this the 2027 and later thread? We have a portal thread?

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

ltrepeter2000's picture ltrepeter2000
HOKIE HOOPS WIZ
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I dont know and part of why I stopped looking for offers

Rob Peterson
VTCC
Charlie/Hotel Company
Class of 1999

fernleyhokie's picture fernleyhokie
🌏MAN OF MYSTERY🕵
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

you posting new offers is the only reason I open this thread

EasyGeezie's picture EasyGeezie
CONSIDER IT DONE
| 5 months 3 weeks #

This barrage of recruit announcements (portal and HS) is JMFF's version of this.....

The Never Ending Story II Electric Boogaloo level fantastic!!!!

theMattBoard's picture theMattBoard
.COM
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

I do art stuff.

8300A_Hokie'12's picture 8300A_Hokie'12
🏝NO BAD DAYS🏖🤙
| 5 months 3 weeks # ^

Mrs. Simpson, what did you and your husband do after you were ejected from the restaurant.

We... pretty much went straight home.

Mrs. Simpson, you're under oath...

"The Big Ten is always using excuses to cancel games with us. First Wisconsin. Then Wisconsin. After that, Wisconsin. The subsequent cancellation with Wisconsin comes to mind too. Now Penn State. What's next? Wisconsin?" -HorseOnATreadmill