Virginia Tech Targets Top In-State Recruit for 2027 Class

Four-star offensive tackle Junior Saunders to take official visit to Blacksburg

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Virginia Tech football is making a strong push for top in-state recruit Junior Saunders, a four-star offensive tackle in the 2027 class. Saunders, the No. 3 player in Virginia, will take an official visit to Blacksburg on June 5 as the Hokies look to fend off Virginia and South Carolina for his commitment.

Why it matters

Securing top in-state talent is a priority for new Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin, who has already landed 10 players from Virginia in the 2026 class. Landing Saunders would be a major coup, as he is one of the best offensive linemen in the country and a key recruiting battle between the Hokies and their in-state rival Cavaliers.

The details

Saunders, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive tackle from Woodberry Forest, is ranked the No. 278 overall prospect and No. 24 OT in the 2027 class. He has also scheduled official visits to Virginia and South Carolina, but Virginia Tech is considered a top contender. Franklin and the Hokies have made Saunders a priority, with the head coach visiting him personally and the program hosting him on multiple occasions.

  • Saunders will take an official visit to Virginia Tech on June 5, 2026.
  • He has also scheduled official visits to Virginia on May 29, 2026 and South Carolina on June 19, 2026.

The players

Junior Saunders

A four-star offensive tackle from Woodberry Forest High School in Virginia, ranked the No. 278 overall prospect and No. 24 OT in the 2027 recruiting class.

James Franklin

The new head coach of the Virginia Tech football program, who has made securing top in-state talent a priority for the Hokies.

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What they’re saying

“I think I have a good opportunity to represent my state well and I also have a chance to play early and bring that spark back to Virginia Tech with Coach Franklin. I think he knows how to create a winning culture and he has been recruiting me for a while now and so the trust and the connection we have built has been special.”

— Davion Brown, Four-star wide receiver (Rivals)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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