James Franklin and Virginia Tech beat out Georgia and Penn State for 4-star QB

James Franklin has started his time with the Virginia Tech Hokies by doing something he's always been known for.

Say what you will about his ability to win the big game, Franklin has always been an elite recruiter.

He proved that again on Thursday when the Hokies beat out the Georgia Bulldogs and Franklin's old team, the Penn State Nittany Lions, for 4-star quarterback Peter Bourque.

Borque is ranked as the No. 7 quarterback in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He's also ranked as the No. 82 recruit overall, regardless of position.

Without a doubt, this is a massive win for Franklin and the Hokies. Getting a recruit like Bourque in the fold may ensure some big on-field wins for the Hokies in the future as well.

Virginia Tech leveraged NIL to win over 4-star QB Peter Bourque

Relationships played a role in this recruiting win, as they always do. Per Steve Wiltfong of Rivals, though, Franklin and the Hokies leveraged NIL to win Bourque over.

“The Hokies have been real aggressive on the NIL front for Bourque,” Wiltfong reported before the commitment. “Beyond that he has great relationships with head coach James Franklin, Danny O’Brien and the coaching staff. He likes the direction of the offense and trajectory of the program.”

Checking in at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Bourque took a multi-day visit to Virginia Tech earlier this spring. He was familiar with the staff because Franklin had recruited him while he was at Penn State. 

That visit to Blacksburg, Virginia, may have sealed the deal for VT, but ht NIL package couldn't have hurt, either.

Bourque was the 2025 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. He threw for 2,241 yards and 18 touchdowns, alongside putting up 688 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns for Tabor Academy.

He's the highest-ranked commit to Franklin's 12-recruit class, so far. It's a class that's now ranked No. 16 nationally.