The first spring practice of the James Franklin era at Virginia Tech has come and gone with some players clearly making moves up the depth chart who entered the spring in a lower profile spot. Here's a look at five of the top risers for the Hokies this spring.
TE Luke Reynolds
Luke Reynolds always seemed bound for a notable role in Virginia Tech's 2026 offense, but what he showed in the Spring Game raised the expectations for what Reynolds could bring to the Hokies.
He was one of the brightest stars of the Spring Game with five catches for 69 yards to lead all pass catchers in this game. This included Reynolds making a nifty one-handed catch down the seam early on in a game where he was used in a variety of ways.
One of the things that helps Reynolds is the fact that he already has a strong chemistry with expecting starting QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, given how both were together at Penn State for two years before following James Franklin and company to Blacksburg. Both Grunkemeyer and Reynolds would have also spent tons of time working together in practice given how both were second teamers for Penn State last year till Grunkemeyer got bumped into the starting QB job with Drew Allar's season-ending injury.
That chemistry was on full display in the Spring Game with Grunkemeyer being able to trust Reynolds to make plays in a variety of situations. It also helps that Reynolds has a familiar coach in OC/TEs coach Ty Howle who has coached Reynolds for a few years now and has a tremendous reputation for developing tight ends.
Add in how the Spring Game seemed to show tight ends will have a large role in VT's passing offense and it's clear that Reynolds will feature very prominently in the 2026 offense.
Despite Benji Gosnell's return, Reynolds is the clear TE1 and could end up having one of the most productive seasons ever for a Virginia Tech tight end this fall.
