James Franklin, Virginia Tech landed elite RB recruit thanks to aggressive tactics

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

James Franklin, Virginia Tech landed elite RB recruit thanks to aggressive tactics

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 19, 2026 6:09 PM ET

James Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies made a verbal offer to Javian Jones-Priest on May 5.

The Hokies then never took their foot off the pedal with the four-star running back prospect out of Arlington, Texas.

Jones-Priest has over 30 offers to his name, and his father, Rafael Priest, was a defensive back at TCU from 2005 to 2009.

Jones-Priest could have gone with the Horned Frogs, and nobody would have blinked. SMU, Oregon, Northwestern, Oklahoma State and Florida were also in the running.

Ultimately, though, he committed to Virginia Tech on Tuesday. Franklin and the Hokies made him feel like a big deal from day one, and that paid off for them in a big recruiting win.

“Virginia Tech has recruited aggressively since they offered,” Jones-Priest told Rivals. “They made me feel like a priority, and showed it by having me as their first official visitor and only recruit on campus a few weeks back. While I was there, Coach Franklin was super cool and genuine. Everything just felt right. I’m excited about the direction of the program under his direction, and it seems like other top players around the country are feeling the same way.”

BREAKING: Four-Star RB Javian “JP” Jones-Priest has Committed to Virginia Tech, he tells me for @Rivals

The 5’10 194 RB from Arlington, TX chose the Hokies over Oregon and Florida

“I’m home! We’re finna be something big! ”https://t.co/jrvppl0M0Q pic.twitter.com/bnURyl9nPF
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 19, 2026

The four-star running back took an official visit to Blacksburg in late April. He also took an official visit to Northwestern, but his time with the Hokies clearly left an impression.

Visit to Virginia Tech sealed the deal for 4-star RB Javian Jones-Priest

“The visit went better than I originally thought it would,” Jones-Priest said “Coach Franklin is a certified cool dude. He’s obviously a great coach, so being around him and seeing his personality was great. He seems like he’s a straight shooter, very knowledgeable, and about his business, but at the same time, personable. You can just tell he’s experienced and has seen it all. The RB coaches were down-to-earth as well. Everything seemed genuine. The campus was nice, and it’s a college town, so that’s a plus.”

This is a big commitment for Franklin and the Hokies, who now have 13 recruits verbally pledged to the 2027 class.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Jones-Priest is the No. 28 running back recruit in the country.

As a junior at Arlington Martin High School, he rushed 144 times for 1,154 yards and 12 touchdowns on 8.01 yards per carry.

Andrew Kulha

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

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