Virginia Tech recruiting has heated up since the hiring of James Franklin as head coach and the Hokies completed the flip of athlete Pierce Petersohn, a Composite four-star from Dodge Center (Minn.) Triton who was committed to Penn State.

Here is what Hokies fans need to know.

HOW PIERCE PETERSOHN ENDED UP AT VIRGINIA TECH

Petersohn was offered by Franklin shortly after he was announced as Hokies head coach. In the aftermath of that, he immediately set an official to Virginia Tech. He had never previously been there or considered the Hokies, but they rose to the top of the list because of his relationship with Franklin.

He said he not only had a strong relationship there, but also was confident the tight end would continue to be as important to Franklin’s offensive philosophy at Virginia Tech as it had been at Penn State.

“He’s not going to change much from what he did at Penn State,” he said. “Tight ends are important to him and that won’t change at Tech.”

After taking an official and seeing campus, Petersohn felt comfortable with making the change in commitment.

“Coach Franklin spent a lot of time with us recruits on the official visit,” he said. “It’s nice being able to already have a relationship with Franklin and his staff that was there already.”

WHO ELSE WAS INVOLVED

Petersohn was committed to Penn State. The first time through his recruitment, he was considering Iowa State and Minnesota as well. 

WHERE PIERCE PETERSOHN RANKS

Petersohn is a high three-star with an 89 rating per 247Sports. He is ranked as the No. 22 tight end in the class and No. 4 senior in Minnesota. The 247Sports Composite has him as a four-star and No. 17 tight end and the No. 2 senior in Minnesota.

HOW PIERCE PETERSOHN FITS AT VIRGINIA TECH

First, this is a shot in the arm to a Va Tech class that is continuing to build to a strong close under Franklin.

Petersohn is part of the first wave of Penn State commits to make the jump to Virginia Tech’s class and he is not likely to be the last one. 

He joins Isaiah Pina as the tight ends in this class.

The Hokies are set to return Benji Gosnell, Ja’Ricous Hairston and Harrison St. Germain who are all tight ends who have caught passes this season. However, there is no freshman tight end on the roster as the Hokies did not sign a tight end in last year’s class. 

WHAT WE THINK OF PIERCE PETERSOHN

Petersohn played quarterback in high school but projects to tight end in college. Some schools thought he might be a linebacker.

Petersohn is a really good athlete who averaged 29 points and 13 rebounds per game in basketball last season while also running track and high jumping.

He needs to add muscle and weight to his frame and get stronger, but he is a fluid, coordinated athlete.

He will need time to make those physical changes and learn the tight end position more, but has the base physical tools and frame to end up being a very good college tight end.

His basketball film really shows his coordination, body control and other athletic gifts that will translate as a pass catcher.