Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 9 No. 1 | August 2016

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19
2016
TIGHT ENDS
7 Bucky Hodges (6-7, 245, r-Jr.)
13 Chris Durkin (6-4, 223, r-So.)
80 Casey Harman (6-3, 245, r-Fr.)
82 Xavier Burke (6-3, 255, r-Fr.)
85 Chris Cunningham (6-2, 236, r-Fr.)
AUGUST, 2016 (In numerical order)
VIRGINIA TECH
TIGHT ENDS
Returning starter: Bucky Hodges
(23 career starts)
Starter lost: none
Projected new starter: none
Top reserves: Chris Durkin, Casey Harman,
Xavier Burke, Chris Cunningham
Newcomers: Durkin, Harman, Burke,
Cunningham
Breakout candidate: Hodges
Notes: Hodges’ 85 career receptions rank 20th
on the school’s all-time list and second among
tight ends (Mike Burnop, 90) … With 40
receptions this season, Hodges would move
into the top five at Tech in career receptions
… Hodges’ 13 career touchdown receptions
are tied for eighth in school history and are
the most ever by a Tech tight end … Despite
having 85 career receptions, Hodges has just
one 100-yard receiving game in his career
(Duke last season, 101 yards) … Hodges has
started 15 consecutive games … Hodges is
one of just three players on offense to start
every game last season (Jonathan McLaughlin,
Augie Conte) … The backups behind Hodges
have combined to play in four collegiate games
… Burke played on special teams in the East
Carolina game last season, but received a
medical hardship waiver because of an injury.
A QUICK GLANCE
Several television monitors throughout the
Tech football locker room and weight room
inform the players of meeting times, lifting
times, and such. The information also includes
study hall times for select players.
Bucky Hodges was normally a regular visitor
to study hall, but this summer, his name was
notably absent from the list.
“I’m trying to be on top of my game,” he
said. “I’m trying to graduate this December and
I’ve got five classes this fall to get it done. I’ve
definitely matured. All the people in academics
[Student-Athlete Academic Support Services]
have helpedme somuch. They are there for you.
As long as you stay on top of your schoolwork,
you don’t have to worry about study hall and
things like that. You can enjoy your free time.
“But I really want to graduate. My mom
really wants to see me graduate. I want to do
that for her and for myself also.”
If all goes according to plan, Hodges will
graduate in December with a degree in human
development and a minor in political science.
Then following the upcoming season, he faces
another decision in regards to a possible NFL
future.
The two-time All-ACC choice faced that same
decision earlier this winter. He contemplated
leaving Tech and making himself available
for the NFL Draft, but decided to return after
much reflective thought and after discussions
with his family and head coach Justin Fuente.
“Definitely think I made the right decision,”
he said. “I had to mature. I’m still new to the
position. I played quarterback until I got to
college. Another year under my belt is going to
help me succeed at the next level.”
A lot of Hodges’ football future hinges on
how well he plays in offensive coordinator
Brad Cornelsen’s offense this fall. Cornelsen
moved Hodges all over the field this spring—a
good sign that he plans on taking advantage of
Hodges’ versatility.
Hodges, who has 85 career catches and
13 touchdown receptions, spent the first few
spring practices at tight end, but Tech’s staff
essentially moved him to receiver for the
remainder of the spring. He is still considered
a tight end and heads into the season on the
“watch list” for the Mackey Award, which goes
annually to the nation’s top tight end.
Playing so much at receiver forced Hodges
to look at his conditioning. He got winded with
regularity, as his 245-pound body struggled
with the faster pace of Cornelsen’s offense. He
gradually worked himself into shape and spent
the summer making sure that conditioning will
not be a problem heading into the opener.
“It was terrible,” Hodges said of his struggles
during the early part of spring ball. “It wasn’t a
good feeling. I had to get in shape. I learned that
early. I had to eat right and get my body right.
Every chance I had to get in shape, I had to take
advantage of it. Through summer workouts,
Coach [Ben] Hilgart [Tech’s associate AD for
football strength and conditioning] and the
staff got me in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”
The Hokies need for Hodges to be at his
best because the position lacks experience.
None of the four players listed behind him
have played tight end in a college game. In fact,
Chris Durkin, like Hodges, came to Tech as a
quarterback.
That doesn’t mean the quartet of Durkin,
Casey Harman, Xavier Burke and Chris
Cunningham do not have potential. All bring
height, size and athleticism to the field. They
just need to learn the game—and Cornelsen’s
offense.
Hodges knows that feeling. He said he
felt like a freshman this spring, learning the
playbook and just getting comfortable, but
now he’s ready to put up big numbers this
season—yet again.
“I’m really excited about this offense and
the new coaching staff,” he said. “We’ve been
working hard and I think we can do some great
things this year.”
Hodges’
VERSATILITY
to be on display
this fall
by Jimmy Robertson