BLACKSBURG - With Clemson looming Saturday night in Clemson, S.C., Virginia Tech spent Wednesday’s practice session and James Franklin’s post-practice media availability circling the same themes: line depth, fast starts and how the Hokies are handling injuries at key spots.
One of the biggest personnel notes centered on freshman offensive lineman Noha Eziuka, who has already become a useful piece for Virginia Tech. The Canton, Mich., native is listed at 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds on his HokieSports page, and Franklin said he brings a lot more than size to the table.
In Franklin’s words, "he's got pretty much everything that you're looking for.
Eziuka has appeared in every game this season at least on special teams, but he’s only logged snaps on the offensive line in three games. He played 14 snaps against VMI and three against Old Dominion, then sat out offensive line duty for the next four games before getting pressed into action against Georgia Tech when attrition hit the unit.
"He's dense; he's powerful in the weight room, and he's super trustworthy," Franklin said. "Obviously, everybody uses that quote: 'Do your job.'
He's that guy. You know what you're going to get from him every single day."
Against Georgia Tech, Eziuka lined up at right guard and played 46 snaps - 19 in pass protection and 27 in run blocking. He finished with a 59.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. His pass-blocking number, 75.5, ranked third on the team behind left guard Michael Troutman III and running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr., while his run-blocking grade came in at 56.2.
"Didn't plan on him having 46 reps in the game, but he went in and played well, so we left him in longer," Franklin said.
Virginia Tech also used Wednesday to make a point about how it wants to open halves. Franklin said the staff moved red zone work to the middle of practice, instead of its usual early slot, to put a spotlight on the idea of starting quickly.
"We've been one of the better teams in the country - on offense and defense - at starting fast," Franklin said. "So, we shifted half of that to the middle of practice just to try to put an emphasis on it."
The specific focus, Franklin said, was the third quarter, where Virginia Tech has been less sharp than it has in the opening frame. Through seven games, the Hokies have outscored opponents 42-38 in the third quarter and 56-47 in the fourth. By contrast, they have built a huge early cushion, topping opponents 73-10 in the first quarter and 98-44 in the second.
"It allows you an opportunity to talk to the guys about it," Franklin said. "Why we're doing it, the importance of it, how we need to respond - all those things are important."
At quarterback, Clemson has been navigating life without Christopher Vizzina, who has not played since the second game of the season against Georgia Southern after suffering an elbow injury in that game. That has left true freshman Tait Reynolds in charge.
Reynolds has thrown for 943 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in four starts. His 30.0 quarterback rating ranks No. 129 and is lowest in the ACC. Franklin said Clemson has been careful about how it is asking Reynolds to operate.
"I think [Clemson is] doing a really good job of managing it for a young guy when you don't want to necessarily put everything on their plate," Franklin said of Reynolds. "Getting the ball out of his hands to the playmakers as quickly as they possibly can, using his athleticism...
Physically, he doesn't look like a young football player. He's put together."
Virginia Tech’s injury report from practice included a few notable names. Wide receiver Shamarius "Snook" Peterkin did not participate, while Takye Heath was a full participant. Cornerback Thomas Williams, who forced two fumbles in Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech - including one at the goal line - also looked fine after leaving that game early following a hit on Georgia Tech’s muffed punt.
On the offensive line, right guard Montavious Cunningham was working off to the side, while Brody Meadows went through drills. Franklin said Eziuka was taking reps at right guard in individual work as well.
Meadows has practiced all week and could have been available against Georgia Tech, Franklin said, but the staff chose to hold him out. Franklin said he "felt like [Meadows] would have been a little bit rusty to put him out there on game day and jog through reps."
Cunningham, Franklin said, is more of a game-time decision.
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For Virginia Tech, that means the challenge is not just keeping pace with a familiar power, but testing itself against a roster that could soon have another key piece back. Dabo Swinney has indicated Christopher Vizzina is close to returning from an elbow injury, adding another layer to Clemsons quarterback situation as the Hokies prepare to see how their offense stacks up in a game with real ACC implications. [Read more 🡒]