With the Virginia Tech Hokies currently sitting at 2-4 on the 2023 season, the team is in need of reinforcements at a few spots, especially safety.
While no phase of the game has been perfect in year two of the Brent Pry era, the defense has had their struggles allowing nearly 25 points per game. One of the biggest reasons for those struggles are the fact that the Hokies have been allowing too many home run type plays with Tech's opponents having seven 50+ yard plays (including five runs) in the past four games.
One reason for this struggle has been the absence of Nasir Peoples, the Hokies redshirt senior starting safety. Peoples, a 2021 All-ACC Honorable Mention, suited up for Tech’s season opening 36-17 win against Old Dominion, in which he recorded five total tackles, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
Just days after the win, Peoples would end up being sidelined for the next four games with a knee injury that occurred in practice on September 5th. That left Tech depleted at safety especially after Jalen Stroman started to get banged up and the Hokies had to lean heavily on a converted WR in Jaylen Jones and a true freshman in Mose Phillips.
No one knew how long Peoples would be out for, but it was clear that Tech needed him. Fortunately, Tech was able to get Peoples back on the field some last week against Florida State
Head coach Brent Pry has been impressed with the character and mental toughness that Peoples has shown to put in the proper work to overcome his injury sooner than expected.
"I’m not surprised at all, that’s the type of young man he is. He’s tough as nails. And he’s ahead of the game, he got back sooner than expected, he’s driven, he’s determined, wants to see us win, wants to help. You know it’s challenging when you got a couple captains that aren’t out there each and every day with you. So it’s great to have him back," Pry said.
Peoples described his time on the sidelines as a tough experience. Nonetheless, the senior was able to mentor some of his teammates, and watch them progress in his absence.
“It was hard. You never want to not be out there with your guys, contributing. It was good to be on the sidelines, help the young guys, and just help whoever I need to help,” Peoples said.
The injuries to both Peoples and backup Jaylen Jones forced Tech to shuffle players in the secondary, moving corner Mansoor Delane to safety over the last few weeks.
Now that the Hokies have Peoples back after Tech hadn't had both starting safeties on the field at the same time since their win over ODU, Peoples feels that Tech has gotten more experienced depth at safety now that will benefit the Hokies.
“I think it helps a lot. Just bringing depth back to the room. Like you said we had guys move around a lot, so we haven’t had a set group really. I think in all, it’s gonna be a great thing for all of us. The guys like Mose [Phillips] and JJones [Jaylen Jones] they got more reps, so they’re just getting better with experience. Stro [Jalen Stroman] has been out there for the longest, he’s pretty good already, it’s just gonna make us all around better as a room," Peoples said.
Even with that, there's no doubt that Tech desperately needs the experience and consistency that Nasir Peoples brings to the table with the veteran excited to be back on the field now after missing four games prior to last week.
"It felt good to be out there with the team [last week]. Get some quality reps in. It felt good, I’m excited for this week, looking forward [to the Wake Forest game]
And for many Hokie fans, they will also be excited to see a healthy Nasir Peoples back on the field as a starter, especially ahead of a challenging game against Wake Forest.
