Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin. Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

James Franklin, Virginia Tech land Xavier Perkins over Miami, others

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 6:58 PM ET

James Franklin has a lot of work to do with the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The once proud program is coming off a 3-9 campaign and the Hokies haven't notched double-digit wins since 2016.

Franklin is a program builder, though. He's known as one of the best in college football when it comes to that.

He's also known as one heck of a recruiter, and that's where he's going to really make his money for Virginia tech.

The recruiting trail and the transfer portal will be critical for the Hokies as they look to once again capture national relevance, and they just got a big win in that regard.

Despite also having Miami, Duke and Louisville at the top of his interest list, Xavier Perkins, a three-star EDGE prospect from Durham, N.C., committed to Virginia Tech on Tuesday.

NEW: James Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies have landed a commitment from one of the best in North Carolina, @Xman_Nextup.

“Virginia Tech just felt like home."

Read: https://t.co/R5KzARe9Lw pic.twitter.com/ThZfWLClZk
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) April 14, 2026

Perkins took a junior day visit to Virginia Tech earlier this year and that's where the Hokies really won him over.

“It came down to that feeling, and I felt it the most at Virginia Tech,” Perkins told Rivals. “It goes back to that Junior Day in January. I felt great around the staff. Then I went back to about a month ago and loved it. It was great seeing the coaches, then on this past visit over the weekend, I knew it.”

Virginia Tech beats Miami for three-star EDGE Xavier Perkins

Perkins is ranked as the No. 24 EDGE in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports. Miami made a strong run at getting his commitment, but ultimately, the connection he had with the staff at VT prevailed for the Hokies.

“I had a great visit to Miami, and I spent about a week on campus earlier this spring, but Virginia Tech just gave me a different feeling. When I was in Blacksburg, everything just felt right," he said.

It's now up to Franklin and his staff to keep this commitment, because one would imagine that Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes won't just give up on Perkins.

It does sound like Franklin has made quite an impact on the three-star, though.

"He is a winner, he is going to win at Virginia Tech and he is a coach that players want to play for," Perkins said of his new head coach.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: