Hokies' Flowers: Luke Reynolds 'the best tight end in the nation'
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds (right) celebrates with Benji Gosnell after catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter against Maryland on Saturday in College Park, Maryland.
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds runs in for a touchdown during the second quarter against Old Dominion on Sept. 12 in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds picks up extra yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Old Dominion on Sept. 12 in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds secures a catch for a first down while being defended by Maryland defensive back Jayden Shipps in the first half Saturday in College Park, Maryland.
BLACKSBURG — Tyson Flowers and the rest of Virginia Tech’s defensive players were still standing somewhat close to the sideline as they watched quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer loft up a pass for tight end Luke Reynolds late in the second quarter at Maryland last weekend.
What Flowers and the other Tech defensive backs saw unfold was nothing different than what they’d experienced throughout training camp. Reynolds, matched up on cornerback Jayden Shipps, elevated to pinpoint the catch, secured the ball despite Shipps’ best efforts to dislodge it from his hands, and then had the awareness to make sure his feet landed in bounds.
It was a majestic 14-yard reception. The Hokies scored two plays later to take a 13-point lead into halftime. The catch was still the talk of the sideline before the defense took the field.
“I was talking to someone on the sideline about it, I think it was after he went up and kind of caught the back shoulder on our sideline. … I was like, ‘I’m so happy he’s on our team,’” Flowers, who was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy on Wednesday, said Monday.
Flowers and his fellow defensive backs learned in training camp how difficult it is to match up against the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Reynolds. Defensive backs and linebackers from other teams are learning the challenges of neutralizing Reynolds, who has emerged as one of the nation’s top tight ends early in the season.
The junior, who spent his first two seasons at Penn State, is either first or second among the nation’s tight ends in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer’s primary target.
He was named the Mackey Award player of the week on Tuesday after posting 12 catches, 107 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Terrapins.
“He’s got a chance to be special. The thing is he’s getting some credit right now, and he deserves that. With team success comes individual recognition,” Hokies coach James Franklin said Monday. “But, most of these stats, which I don’t necessarily agree with with tight ends, is all about the passing game. And there’s not too many tight ends out there that are doing what he’s doing in the pass game, but also are a problem from a blocking perspective as well. He’ll stick his nose in there. … He’ll be physical in the run game. So he’s doing a really, really nice job and we’re going to continue to kind of build on this.”
Reynolds’ impact has been felt on Virginia Tech’s offense. He leads the team with 25 receptions, 265 yards and four touchdowns. He leads all tight ends in receptions and receiving touchdowns, and he ranks second to Memphis’ Hunter Tipton in receiving yards (307 for Tipton).
“I think he’s probably the best tight end that I’ve ever played against. I think he’s the best tight end in the nation,” Flowers said. “Time after time after time again, he makes plays. If the ball’s in the air, Luke is going to come down with it.”
Reynolds’ production has allowed other targets to get open for Grunkemeyer. Eleven other Tech players have notched multiple receptions, and the Hokies’ tight ends have been featured more prominently in the passing attack with Ja’Ricous Hairston, Benji Gosnell and Harrison Saint Germain factoring into the offense.
Tech’s tight ends (including freshman Pierce Petersohn) have accounted for 37 receptions, 371 yards and five touchdowns.
“It’s been great. I’ve been with Benji for four years. I’ve been with Harry for four years. We’ve all worked our tail off,” Hairston said. “To see Luke come in and be a guy that’s worked just as hard as us, come in and ball like he has has been great. Luke is a great guy. He’s brought a lot of energy to that room. A lot of confidence. He’s given me tremendous confidence in my game. I appreciate Luke and what he’s done for the room.”
Reynolds’ blocking also has rubbed off on the other tight ends. It’s a mentality that offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle focused on leading into the season, and he’s making sure the tight ends finish blocks just as well as they run routes.
“He’s really helped me in the C-gap. I’d say my C-gap blocking has been much better this year,” Hairston said. “Blocking overall for me has been much better this year. I just have the confidence to stick my hat in the C-gap and stand my ground.”
Tech’s defensive backs actually prefer going against Reynolds on a weekly basis in practice. Flowers said on Monday that he loves going against Reynolds and doesn’t view it as an unenviable task. If Flowers and the other defensive backs can learn how to defend Reynolds, they’ll be able to defend other top skill position players as the season progresses.
“I love going against him because I think for me it’s all about getting better. I just want to become the best football player that I possibly can, and I think part of that is going against the best competition,” Flowers said, “and I think Luke is the best there is, so I love going against him in practice, and we go at it.
“We’ve gone back and forth, and I love his passion and competitiveness. If I could go against him every day for the rest of my career, I would, because I know I’m going to get better. I think the hardest thing about him is that he catches the ball with his hands, and like his ball skills, his ability to track the ball in the air and go up and catch it, and his big catch radius. It gives people problems. It’s given me problems at times. I’m happy he’s on my team.”
Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124
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