Updated Dec. 1, 2025 with commitments of former Penn State 2026 recruits quarterback Troy Huhn and linebacker Mathieu Lamah to Virginia Tech.
In the time since James Franklin was officially announced as the next head coach at Virginia Tech, Penn State assistant coaches, staffers, players and recruits have been under close watch for potential moves to follow their former leader to Blacksburg.
Many members of the Nittany Lion program have already expressed interest in joining Franklin. Here’s a running list of who’s in the mix.
This list will be updated as more names emerge.
STAFF/COACHES
General Manager of Personnel and Recruitment Andy Frank
On Wednesday, the same day Franklin held an introductory press conference in Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum, it was reported by multiple outlets that Frank intended to follow his former head coach.
Frank had been with the program since Franklin’s arrival 12 years ago, and had worked with him for all three seasons at Vanderbilt prior to that. He’s no longer listed on the university’s online staff directory, essentially confirming the reports.
Frank primarily oversaw the recruiting department, which brought in two classes ranked No. 6 nationally during his 12 years in the role.
Chief of Staff Kevin Threlkel
In addition to Frank, Threlkel is expected to follow Franklin to Virginia Tech after being with him for his entire tenure with the Commodores and Nittany Lions. Threlkel was also with Franklin at Kansas State in 2006-07.
Threlkel’s responsibilities were mainly financial, including overseeing the football program budget and contracts.
Recruiting Coordinator for Personnel Chris Mahon
Midway through his fifth season with the Nittany Lions, Mahon is no longer listed on the staff directory. He was heavily involved in the team’s recruiting efforts, helping connect players and coaches and organizing and hosting visits.
Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Personnel Rashad Elby
Elby was in his fourth season on staff and was responsible for roster management and contracts, an increasingly important part of modern college football. He’s also been removed from the staff directory, but it’s unconfirmed whether he’ll join Franklin at Virginia Tech.
Assistant Director of Player Relations Brett Arnold
Midway through his third year in Happy Valley, Arnold is also off the directory. He primarily handled NIL and revenue sharing efforts, helping fundraise and set up opportunities for student-athletes.
Assistant Director of Player Advancement and Revenue Sharing Strategy Aeneas Hawkins
A former Nittany Lion defensive tackle from 2018-2021, Hawkins joined the staff this summer after a brief stint working with State Media, a Penn State Athletics-partnered news outlet. He primarily handled revenue sharing responsibilities.
Director of External Operations Tristin Iannone
Iannone previously worked with former Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne at Old Dominion but joined the staff this summer. After a brief stint, he’s no longer listed on the staff directory.
Director of Recruiting Content Caleb Tyler
Tyler had been with the Nittany Lions since 2018 but is no longer on the directory. In his most recent role, he handled social media graphics and other digital content relating to recruiting.
Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Operations and Visits Karsyn Kehler
Kehler joined the staff before the 2024 season and worked with recruiting, helping with official visits and other related events.
RECRUITS
Running back Messiah Mickens
Formerly committed to the Nittany Lions, Mickens announced his commitment to Virginia Tech on Nov. 25, becoming the first official flip, allowing Franklin to debut a new commitment video. Mickens, from Harrisburg High School, ranks as the No. 8 Pennsylvania prospect, No. 14 running back and No. 209 overall recruit in the class and leaves the Nittany Lions without a running back in the class.
Offensive tackle Roseby Lubintus
Lubintus announced his commitment to Virginia Tech of Thanksgiving, joining the Hokies on Turkey Day. Lubintus ranks as the No. 14 New Jersey native, N0. 67 offensive tackle and No. 768 overall prospect in the class. He flipped from Penn State to Syracuse on July 9 but decommitted from the Orange on Oct. 14.
Quarterback Troy Huhn
Once committed to Penn State, the class of 2026 gunslinger decommitted just four days after Franklin was fired.
He ranks as a four-star and the No. 21 quarterback, No. 27 California native and No. 310 overall recruit in the class, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
Huhn, who was in attendance for the Nittany Lions’ loss to UCLA this season, officially committed to Virginia Tech on Dec. 1, though many insiders predicted the move weeks in advance.
Wide receiver Khalil Taylor
Taylor decommitted days before Franklin was fired, leaving the 2027 recruiting class on Oct. 10 prior to Penn State’s loss to Northwestern.
The four-star is a highly coveted prospect, ranking as the No. 4 Pennsylvania native, No. 13 wide receiver and No. 64 overall recruit in the class.
Taylor was offered by Franklin and the Hokies the day after the hiring became official, but he also took a recent visit to Nebraska and appears to be keeping his options open.
Tight end Pierce Petersohn
Petersohn flipped his committed from Penn State to Virginia Tech on Thanksgiving. He received an offer from Franklin on Nov. 19 and visited campus recently.
He ranks as the No. 2 Minnesota prospect, No. 17 tight end and No. 326 player in the class and was a major recruiting win for the Nittany Lions who poached him from the in-state Golden Gophers.
Safety Matt Sieg
The highest remaining player in Penn State’s 2026 class, Sieg marked a major recruiting win over Notre Dame last November but has reopened his recruitment.
Ranked as the No. 16 safety, No. 5 Pennsylvania native and No. 104 overall player in the class, Sieg was recently offered by the Hokies and took an official visit when they hosted Miami in a 34-17 loss on Nov. 22.
Offensive lineman Benjamin Eziuka
Eziuka is another recruit currently committed to Penn State, but he also visited in Blacksburg recently. He ranks as the No. 41 interior offensive lineman, No. 8 Michigan native and No. 514 overall player in the 2026 cycle.
Offensive lineman Marlen Bright
The four-star prospect ranks as the No. 40 offensive tackle, No. 7 New Jersey native and No. 437 overall player in the class committed to the Nittany Lions in July but flipped to Virginia Tech on Nov. 27.
Virginia Tech and Penn State were the first two schools to officially offer him, and though he initially pledged to the Nittany Lions, he paid a visit to see the Hokies face the Hurricanes.
Linebacker Mathieu Lamah
Lamah, a four-star prospect out of Virginia who committed to Penn State in May, decided to stay in his home state and flipped to Franklin and Virginia Tech on Dec. 1. Ranked as the No. 39 linebacker in the class, he made an official visit to Virginia Tech back in June, meaning he already showed interest in flipping to the Hokies.
Cornerback Amauri Polydor
Polydor hails from Baltimore and is ranked the No. 46 cornerback, No. 14 Maryland native and No. 601 overall player in the 2026 cycle. He’s taken multiple official visits since committing to Penn State in June, including to Colorado and Michigan State.
He was in Blacksburg to watch the Hokies face the Hurricanes.
