![\"Football](\"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/ybmedia\/image\/upload\/c_crop,e_improve,h_751,w_1335,x_317,y_46\/c_fill,f_auto,h_900,q_auto,w_1600\/v1\/m\/b\/0\/b082c2a40bc103a2f978395c3330218ef5956f7c\/james-franklin-virginia-tech-hokies-flip-major.jpg\")
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Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin. <\/span> James Franklin<\/a> became known in the college football world because of his abilities as a recruiter.<\/p>\n Before his stint with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Franklin was the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores. There, he developed a reputation for landing his guy on the recruiting trail.<\/p>\n That reputation followed him to Happy Valley, and it was one of the main reasons the Virginia Tech Hokies<\/a> decided to hire him when he became available after 12 seasons at Penn State.<\/p>\n With that said, that reputation has once again paid off for Virginia Tech and Franklin.<\/p>\n The Hokies were able to flip four-star linebacker Amarri Irvin from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n\u2014 Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 15, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/center>\n\t<\/div>\n Cooper plays high school ball for the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He transferred to IMG after attending Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n Notably, Woodward Academy is the home of four-star cornerback and Virginia Tech commitment Bryce Woods.<\/p>\n He and Cooper took an official visit to Virginia Tech early in June, and that’s what led to this flip.<\/p>\n Cooper is ranked as the No. 23 linebacker<\/a> in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, so he’s a more than notable commitment for the Hokies.<\/p>\n Franklin is already putting together an elite recruiting class for Virginia Tech. The 4-star linebacker is the 25th recruit to commit for 2027. It’s a class that’s currently ranked No. 7 nationally<\/a>.<\/p>\n Again, Franklin is living up to his reputation as an elite recruiter.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n Brian Bishop-Imagn Images\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFootball James Franklin is building an elite 2027 recruiting class for Virginia Tech Hokies\u00a0<\/h2>\n
\n Andrew Kulha<\/a>
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