Virginia Tech football: Virginia’s top player picks LSU over Hokies

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - APRIL 14: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the LSU Tigers clapping during spring practice at the LSU Football Operations Center on April 14, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/University Images via Getty Images} It feels like forever since the Virginia Tech Hokies landed the No. 1 overall player from the state of Virginia. That didn’t used to be the case. However, in recent years, Virginia Tech has seen Penn State, Florida State, Georgia, Florida, and others raid the state’s top talent.

class="has-text-align-none">It felt different this year. Chris Whitehead, an edge from L.C. Bird High School in Richmond, is the consensus No. 1 player in the state and a five-star prospect. The Hokies felt confident in landing Whitehead.

class="has-text-align-none">On Wednesday, Whitehead broke the hearts of Hokie Nation, choosing LSU over Virginia Tech and others. It remains to be seen if the Hokies were the runner-up, but losing this one stings.

BREAKING: Elite 2027 EDGE Chris Whitehead has Committed to LSU, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6’4 240 EDGE chose the Tigers over South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State

“Just Different”⁰https://t.co/OCDgDNbBS2pic.twitter.com/DWfpcJbhyP

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 17, 2026It’s worth noting that while Whitehead committed to LSU, the Hokies will continue recruiting him. Does that mean head coach James Franklin could flip Whitehead before December? Maybe. Maybe not. A good season on the field would go a long way for the Hokies. But whether Franklin can flip Whitehead or not, this one feels different.

class="has-text-align-none">Why?

class="has-text-align-none">When the Hokies lost a commit like this before, fans would hit social media and message boards to complain. And rightfully so. Some fans stopped following recruiting altogether. Could you blame them? But with Franklin and VT’s commitment to the football program, this one is a mere bump in the road. Sure, there’s no consolation prize for losing the state’s top player, but you’re confident that Franklin and his staff can find other quality recruits.

class="has-text-align-none">After all, Virginia Tech still sits in the top 10 of 247Sports’ 2027 team recruiting rankings.

class="has-text-align-none">When Whitehead committed to LSU, so did his younger brother, 2028 offensive tackle Isaiah Whitehead.

class="has-text-align-none">So, while the Hokies lost a priority recruit on Wednesday, it’s not the end of the world. It’s a tough blow, but we’re living in different times. With James Franklin, the Hokies will be just fine.

class="has-text-align-none">Good luck to the Whitehead brothers in Baton Rouge.