Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Virginia
Minnesota TE Pierce Petersohn Commits To Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech and James Franklin have continued their Thanksgiving heater on the recruiting trail, landing Pierce Petersohn, a four-star tight end who was previously committed to Penn State. He is the fourth commitment of the cycle.
BREAKING: Four-Star TE Pierce Petersohn has Flipped from Penn State to Virginia Tech, he tells me for @rivals
The 6’5 205 TE had been Committed to the Nittany Lions since June
“Believe in the people that believe in you! In Coach Franklin we trust.”https://t.co/0aqfo8uG5Q pic.twitter.com/yPnMRDb1tk
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 28, 2025
Petersohn is listed at the No. 325 player in the nation and the second best player in his home state, Minnesota. He has been committed to Penn State since June of this year up until he flipped today.
He has a solid offers list, garnering attention from Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas State among other suitors.
When he initially committed to Penn State, James Franklin was the head whistle there before being dismissed from that position in October. Petersohn reopened his recruitment, but didn’t decommit or take any other visits until he visited Blacksburg on Nov 22nd.
By definition, 247 has Petersohn listed as a tight end, but he is more of a Bucky Hodges style of tight end. He’s not like Benji Gosnell or Ja’Ricous Hairston, who will play with a hand in the dirt; he is more of a receiver who just has a large body type. Petersohn sits at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds.
That doesn’t mean that he can’t grow into his frame. You can’t prediction the future. It is very possible that he doesn’t see the field for a year or longer and is able to put on 25-30 pounds and get up to being around the lower end of a traditional tight end (though he would still be about 30 pounds less than Gosnell, who stands at the same height).
It’s pretty difficult to gauge just how good of a tight-end he is since he played quarterback in high school. That shouldn’t be any cause for concern; most high schools will give the ball to the best athlete on the team unless they truly possess a guy with a great arm. These D1 level athletes are leaps and bounds ahead of the average high school player.
It is difficult to get an accurate read on him; his high school numbers on MaxPreps aren’t very accurate. In his junior year, 24/7 reports that he threw for nearly 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for over 380 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. He was also strong on defense, intercepting three passes.
He also played basketball and track, showcasing that he is an exceptional athlete. He won MVP of the Minnesota State Track Meet in his junior season. He ran 11.24 in the 100 meter and a 22.18 in the 200 meter.
Petersohn showcases elite speed with a big body while still being undersized. My honest expectations for him are that he will redshirt as a true freshman and spend the season putting on about 10-15 pounds of good weight to be ready to contribute in 2027.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Follow
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
-
Florida6 minutes ago‘Experimental explosion’ reported off Central Florida coast, experts say
-
Georgia12 minutes agoEverything From Georgia Tech LB Kyle Efford At ACC Media Days
-
Hawaii18 minutes agoNew Honolulu police chief plans to launch drone program to help catch crime
-
Idaho24 minutes agoBoating, beaches, and mountain scenery: Escape to this bright blue Idaho reservoir
-
Illinois30 minutes ago
Illinois awards AD Josh Whitman a new contract worth more than $31 million over the next 10 years
-
Indiana36 minutes agoWATCH | Drone video captures Big Boy rolling through Northwest Indiana
-
Iowa42 minutes agoJaylen Raynor Wisely Predicted To Be Starting Quarterback for Iowa State Football
-
Kansas48 minutes ago
Chiefs Name Burns & McDonnell as Owner’s Representative for New Practice Facility and Headquarters in Olathe
