Virginia Tech football: OL Maddox Cochrane commits to Hokies

Sometimes, when you want to fix a problem, you need to throw everything you have at the problem. The Virginia Tech Hokies needed to improve their offensive line, and by looking at their 2026 recruiting class, new head coach James Franklin is doing everything possible to fix that problem.

On Sunday, Franklin added another offensive line commitment when three-star OL and former Wisconsin commit Maddox Cochrane pledged to Virginia Tech.

Cochrane is a 6-foot-7, 280-pound offensive tackle from Benedictine High School in Richmond. He’s the No. 22 overall player in the state of Virginia for 2026, according to 247Sports. He initially visited Blacksburg last weekend for the first big recruiting weekend of the James Franklin era and returned this weekend.

Cochrane initially committed to Wisconsin back in April and backed off his pledge two weeks ago. Cochrane had 15 reported offers, with some coming from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. Cochrane is commitment No. 13 to the Hokies’ 2026 class, with more expected on the way. He’s the fifth player to commit since Franklin took over this month.

Of Tech’s 13 commitments, six are offensive linemen. And look at the size of these newcomers:

• OT Roseby Lubintus (6-foot-5, 330)

• OT Maddox Cochrane (6-foot-7, 280)

• OT Marlen Bright (6-foot-7, 290)

• OT Tyrell Simpson (6-foot-7, 310)

• OT Buddy Wegdam (6-foot-6, 280)

• OL Adrian Hamilton (6.2.5, 290)

The Hokies aren’t done, either. They’re projected to land 3-star guard Benjamin Eziuka (Novi, Michigan), another current Penn State commit. Additionally, Tech is in an excellent position to land 4-star OT Thomas Wilder, who was committed to the Hokies before the coaching change and just spent the weekend in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech is targeting size on the line, which is smart. And if there are positions where you take extra numbers, it’s on the offensive and defensive lines. Most of Tech’s OL commitments project as offensive tackles, but can easily be moved inside if necessary.

Welcome home, Maddox.