Virginia Tech lands 2026 OT Maddox Cochrane

Midlothian (Va.) Benedictine three-star offensive tackle Maddox Cochrane has committed to Virginia Tech.

He chose the Hokies after decommitting from Wisconsin on Nov. 17. Cochrane was one of many recruits who took an official visit to Blacksburg in November.

Cochrane is the No. 957 overall prospect and No. 69 tackle in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 26 recruit in Virginia.

The 6-foot-7, 270-pounder is staying home to play for James Franklin and the new-look Hokies. Cochrane now joins a Virginia Tech class that’s quickly on the rise ahead of National Signing Day on Dec. 3.

He was committed to Wisconsin since April, but the uncertainty surrounding the Big Ten program’s future began to weigh on the tackle.

“I can’t. I don’t feel comfortable going that far and not being certain of where I would end up,” he told Badger Blitz’s Evan Flood about the decision to decommit. “This season is not going — I know it’s a very hard schedule, but I thought it would be a different outcome. The first two games, they played Middle Tennessee and Miami (OH), and those were close games.”

Another pledge for the Hokies

Cochrane is the fifth commitment of the week for Virginia Tech, giving it 13 total pledges. This week has also seen four-star running back Messiah Mickens, four-star tight end Pierce Petersohn, Rivals four-star OT Marlen Bright and three-star OT Roseby Lubintus also commit. All four are former Penn State commits following Franklin to Blacksburg.

Mickens headlines as the No. 228 overall prospect and No. 17 RB in the nation. He was the longest-tenured commit in PSU’s class prior to Franklin’s firing, began to trend toward Oklahoma, but took an OV to Virginia Tech and quickly locked back in with the head coach.

“It honestly was a good experience,” Mickens told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “I’m happy I made the decision to go and see my guys and Coach Franklin. Campus was very nice. It exceeded expectations.”

Petersohn is the No. 14 tight end in the nation, while Bright is Rivals’ No. 29 tackle this cycle. The Hokies are trending for more, too. Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong has the latest with NSD just a few days out.

Virginia Tech entered this week with the nation’s No. 121 class, per the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It now checks in at No. 63, as of Nov. 30.