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Four-Star Running Back Messiah Mickens Flips Commitment to Virginia Tech Football
Messiah Mickens, ranked No. 2 in ESPN 300, flips from Penn State to become Virginia Tech's top 2026 recruit under new coach James Franklin.
- Messiah Mickens, a four-star running back, announced his pledge to Virginia Tech on Tuesday, becoming the program's first 2026 ESPN 300 addition under newly hired coach James Franklin.
- Following James Franklin's Nov. 17 hiring, Messiah Mickens reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Penn State Nittany Lions on Nov. 19, sources told ESPN.
- A 5-foot-10 rusher from Harrisburg, Messiah Mickens is a four-star running back ranked No. 180 on Rivals.com who landed with Virginia Tech after an official visit on Saturday.
- James Franklin's first Virginia Tech class gained momentum as Mickens arrives as the new cornerstone expected to grow in the eight days before the early signing period opening Dec. 3.
- Originally committed on August 19, 2023, Messiah Mickens recovered from a torn meniscus in 2025, rushing for 696 yards and 6 touchdowns while leading Harrisburg to a District 3 title.
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Former Penn State-committed running back pledges to Hokies
COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ex-Penn State commit pledges to Hokies Messiah Mickens, a touted senior running back from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who had committed to Penn State before James Franklin’s firing, changed his pledge to Virginia Tech after the Hokies’ hiring of Franklin. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder became the first ESPN 300 recruit for Virginia Tech in the Franklin era. According to Nick Brown, Mickens is the first consensus 4-star running back to…
·Norfolk, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 25%
C 75%
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