James Franklin Could Start 7-0. Then Comes the Real Test.

James Franklin has already won the offseason at Virginia Tech, bringing new money, recruiting momentum, Penn State influence and a completely different energy to Blacksburg. Now comes the harder part. Ethan Grunkemeyer takes over at quarterback in an offense expected to lean on Marcellous Hawkins, multiple-tight-end sets and Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds, while Ayden Greene gives the Hokies a potentially dangerous option on the outside. Franklin has spent his career raising the floor of programs, and simply getting Virginia Tech back to consistent winning would represent enormous progress.

Almost everything about the roster and staff feels new, even with former head coach Brent Pry remaining as defensive coordinator in one of the strangest arrangements in college football. The Hokies appear to have promising pieces at edge and corner, but questions remain in the trenches and around how quickly Grunkemeyer can scale up in a much less comfortable situation than the one he inherited at Penn State. We know Virginia Tech should be better, but could Franklin’s first team be considerably ahead of schedule?

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