When James Franklin arrived in Blacksburg in November, his first order of business was clear: turn a unit that had been a liability since Christian Darrisaw’s last appearance in 2020 into a cornerstone of the offense.
The line’s decline over the past few seasons left the Hokies scrambling for stability, but Franklin has signaled that the rebuild will be aggressive, focusing on both scheme and personnel.
Matt Moore, who was retained as the offensive line coach, brings continuity from Brent Pry’s staff and will oversee the day‑to‑day development of the group, giving Franklin a familiar hand to steer the transformation.
Recruiting the Next Generation
Franklin’s recruiting strategy has already yielded seven offensive linemen for the 2026 class, four of whom arrived via the transfer portal. Names such as Justin Bell, Logan Howland and Justin Terry join returning stalwarts like Montavious Cunningham, Kyle Altuner, Gavin Crawford and Nathaniel Wright, creating a deep pool of talent.
Among the returnees, Cunningham has progressed over the last two years and is slated to start full‑time, while Altuner, a redshirt sophomore center, is projected to anchor the line and is being discussed as a potential All‑American.
The coaching staff envisions a starting five that could feature Altuner, Howland, Cunningham, Terry and Meadows, with Ghannam also in the mix, giving the Hokies a front that could rival the best lines they have fielded in recent memory.
If the early projections hold, Virginia Tech’s offense could see a marked improvement in protection and run‑game efficiency, setting the stage for a more balanced attack and a chance to compete at a higher level in the ACC.