Former PSU commit Messiah Mickens chooses HokiesMiriam ChamberlainWed, November 26, 2025 at 4:12 AM UTC·1 min readBLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Four-star running back Messiah Mickens, once set to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions, has officially switched gears and committed to Virginia Tech.
The rusher from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is ranked No. 141 nationally in the 2026 class by ESPN and is considered one of the top backs in the cycle. He visited Blacksburg over the weekend during Virginia Tech’s home game and announced his commitment on Tuesday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMickens originally committed to Penn State back in August 2023, following head coach James Franklin there. He remained part of Penn State’s 2026 class until decommitting in November 2025 after Franklin was fired. After reopening his recruitment, Mickens considered Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Indiana before ultimately choosing to follow Franklin again, this time to Virginia Tech.
At Harrisburg High School, Mickens was more than just a dangerous back; he dominated on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he ran for over 1,100 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Defensively, he racked up 81 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He was also honored as Pennsylvania’s top high-school football player, winning the Gatorade Pennsylvania Football Player of the Year award for 2024-25.
With Mickens on board, it showcases a strong sign that Franklin’s arrival is already shaking things up in Blacksburg.
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