Taylor makes the call

The evolution of Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been one of the more promising developments of the Hokies’ season. He has grown as a passer and has earned praise for his demeanor as a leader in the locker room.

As the season has gone on, the coaches have trusted Taylor enough to make his own calls and to audible at the line of scrimmage. Now, Taylor says, he calls about 20 percent of his own plays in a given game.

“I guess they felt more comfortable in the film room, watching film and learning defenses better, to give me the chance to go out there – give me a couple plays and let me go out there and decide what’s best for the team,” Taylor said.

Last year and earlier this season, Taylor said, he would make dummy calls at the line and then look to the sideline as the coaches would make the audible. Now Taylor has about 10 different options in a given game that he can call to.

His increased freedom started in the Nebraska game on Sept. 19 and has grown as the season has gone on.

For example, players have said that Taylor made the calls in leading the Hokies’ two fourth-quarter scoring possessions in a loss to Georgia Tech on Oct. 17. Taylor said he made many of his own calls in Virginia Tech’s 13-play scoring drive in its first possession of the second half in a loss to North Carolina on Oct. 29.

No. 16 Virginia Tech (7-3, 4-2 ACC) takes on North Carolina State (4-6, 1-5) on Saturday at Lane Stadium.

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