Lead
James Franklin, newly hired as Virginia Tech’s head coach, contacted linebacker recruit Mathieu Lamah on Monday night after the Hokies completed the hiring. Lamah, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Nokesville (Va.) Patriot, remains committed to Penn State, the program Franklin led through six games this season. The phone call adds a fresh twist to a recruiting cycle that already shifted earlier this fall and leaves Lamah weighing his options amid interest from multiple programs.
Key Takeaways
- James Franklin was hired by Virginia Tech and reached out to Mathieu Lamah on Monday night, initiating direct contact between coach and recruit.
- Mathieu Lamah is a Penn State commit and a linebacker from Nokesville (Va.) Patriot, listed at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds.
- Franklin coached Penn State for the first six games of the current season before moving to Virginia Tech.
- Lamah’s recruitment previously saw a major change earlier this fall; the Franklin contact is a new development in an active cycle.
- Multiple programs remain involved in Lamah’s recruitment, leaving his ultimate decision unresolved for now.
- The call could influence Lamah’s evaluation window but, as of reporting, he has not decommitted from Penn State.
Background
The college coaching carousel shifted when Virginia Tech hired James Franklin, who had been head coach at Penn State earlier this season. Coaching moves of this scale commonly trigger renewed recruiting outreach as incoming staffs contact prospects who committed under previous regimes. That dynamic is particularly relevant for players like Lamah, who committed to Penn State while Franklin was still associated with the program this year.
Recruiting commitments in the fall can be fluid; prospects often revisit choices after staff changes, proximity, playing opportunity and scheme fit are reevaluated. Lamah, a high‑school linebacker with prototypical size, drew attention from several Power Five programs before and during his Penn State pledge. Franklin’s shift to Virginia Tech introduces a familiar figure into Lamah’s recruitment picture, complicating an already active process.
Main Event
On Monday night, James Franklin initiated contact with Mathieu Lamah after his hiring at Virginia Tech. Sources report the call was exploratory: Franklin checked in with Lamah and his family and discussed how the prospect might fit in the Hokies’ plans. The outreach follows normal practice when a coach takes a new job and seeks to open communication with players who committed under prior arrangements.
Lamah remains publicly committed to Penn State at the time of reporting. According to recruiting updates, however, several schools continue to recruit him, and Franklin’s contact represents a renewed line of interest from Virginia Tech. The recruit and his family are evaluating the implications, balancing relationship with the coaching staff that secured his pledge and the new connection with Franklin.
While Lamah has not announced any change of commitment, the interaction is noteworthy because Franklin was the head coach at Penn State through the team’s first six games this season. That history intensifies attention from both fan bases and recruiting analysts monitoring whether the recruit will stay with his original choice or reopen his process.
Analysis & Implications
Staff turnover at the Power Five level frequently reshuffles recruiting priorities. Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech could create momentum for the Hokies in the region, giving their staff a familiar voice to prospects previously targeted by Penn State. For Lamah, a conversation with a coach who led him while at Penn State adds a personal dimension beyond schematic fits and scholarship offers.
From Virginia Tech’s perspective, contacting a recent Penn State commit signals an aggressive approach to rebuilding the roster and regional pipeline. Securing prospects with existing ties to Franklin would help the new staff quickly assemble players who understand his expectations. Conversely, persistent commitments to Penn State would demonstrate stability in the Nittany Lions’ recruiting foundation despite coaching change.
For Lamah’s development and playing time prospects, the decision will hinge on projected role, development staff, and the defensive scheme at each school. A linebacker of his size—6-foot-3, 220 pounds—fits multiple modern front-seven roles; both programs can present plausible pathways to early playing time depending on roster needs and depth charts.
Comparison & Data
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Mathieu Lamah |
| Position | Linebacker |
| High School | Nokesville (Va.) Patriot |
| Listed Size | 6’3″, 220 lbs |
| Commitment | Penn State (committed) |
| Recent Contact | James Franklin (Virginia Tech) — Monday night |
This snapshot contextualizes the recruit’s measurable profile and immediate recruiting status. It does not predict a change of commitment but clarifies facts reporters and analysts are tracking as the situation develops.
Reactions & Quotes
According to recruiting updates, Lamah reported he has spoken with Franklin and is assessing the new contact while maintaining his current commitment to Penn State.
Mathieu Lamah / 247Sports (reported)
Virginia Tech’s athletic department announced the hiring of James Franklin, noting the program expects an immediate impact on recruiting and roster building.
Virginia Tech Athletics (official release)
Recruiting analysts observe that coach-to-commit communication following a hire often prompts reevaluation but does not automatically produce a flip; decisions typically depend on several factors beyond a single call.
Recruiting analysts / 247Sports (analysis)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Lamah will ultimately decommit from Penn State and accept further overtures from Virginia Tech is not confirmed.
- The precise content and duration of the Monday-night conversation between Franklin and Lamah have not been publicly released.
- Which other specific programs are actively pushing for Lamah following Franklin’s move has not been exhaustively verified.
Bottom Line
James Franklin’s outreach to Mathieu Lamah is a notable development in a recruit’s cycle already marked by change. While the contact renews Virginia Tech’s interest and adds complexity, Lamah remains committed to Penn State at this point. The situation illustrates how coaching moves can quickly alter recruiting dynamics, but a single phone call rarely determines an immediate shift in a recruit’s decision.
Observers should watch for further direct statements from Lamah, any formal recruitment materials from Virginia Tech, and follow-up contacts that could clarify intent. For now, the most prudent reading is that the recruitment is active and fluid, with the recruit and his family evaluating new information before making any final choice.