Virginia Tech is getting a tight end in Luke Reynolds who brings more than the usual in-line presence. At Penn State, he was part of a three-man tight end rotation, but the Nittany Lions leaned heavily on two-tight-end looks, and Reynolds still logged 450 snaps on the season. That’s a meaningful workload for a player in a crowded room, especially when you compare it to Benji Gosnell’s 496 snaps last year.
What makes Reynolds different is how Penn State used him. He wasn’t parked next to the tackle and asked to do the same job snap after snap.
When he was in the box, he was usually stationed at wing, and that accounted for about half of his snaps. The rest of the time, he was frequently deployed as a “big slot,” giving the offense a flexible piece who could move around and create mismatches.
He also wasn’t limited to short-area work. Penn State used him in the usual ways you’d expect from a bigger pass-catcher - stacked next to or in front of wide receivers to help threaten perimeter screens - but he was also sent out as a true receiving option. At times, he lined up wide by himself and ran deeper routes, which speaks to his athleticism for a 6’4/250 player catching the ball on the move ten or more yards down the field.
Reynolds is set to be a big piece of the Hokies’ offense in 2026, and the way Penn State deployed him suggests Virginia Tech is getting a tight end with real versatility, not just a body attached to the formation.
In Other News...
Virginia Techs 2027 Class Could Be Getting Even Stronger Soon
Virginia Techs 2027 recruiting class is already drawing attention, and it may not be done climbing. The Hokies sit at No. 15 in the 247Sports team rankings and No. 19 in the On3/Rivals composite with 26 commitments, a sign that the early work in this cycle has given the staff a real foundation to build on. The class has been anchored by a few headliners, including quarterback Bourque, tight end Karhoff and offensive lineman Buchanan, each bringing a different kind of value to what looks like a balanced group.
Bourques rise has been especially notable, with his profile reflecting both production and upside at a premium position. Karhoff and Buchanan have added their own momentum, one as a versatile playmaker who can impact the game in more than one way and the other as a big-bodied line piece with the kind of frame coaches covet. Even beyond those three, Virginia Tech has another name worth keeping in mind in Dylan Latell, which is why this class feels like it could still have another layer to it before signing day arrives. [Read more 🡒]
One Familiar Hokies Opponent Suddenly Carries Pressure Virginia Tech Can Exploit
Virginia Techs 2026 football schedule does not appear to be loaded with coaching drama, which makes one early nonconference trip stand out all the more. Most of the familiar names on the slate are not walking a hot seat, so the Hokies are not exactly circling a gauntlet of desperation games when the schedule turns to the fall.
Maryland is the exception, and the matchup in College Park carries more edge than a typical September meeting. The Terps have the kind of talent base that can make them dangerous, but they have also been stuck trying to turn promise into steady progress, which means Virginia Tech could find itself facing a team with a little extra urgency attached to every snap. [Read more 🡒]