Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 1 | August 2018

26 Inside Hokie Sports Dalton Keene’s “welcome to college” moment came in the Hokies’ season opener last fall against West Virginia. In the first quarter, offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen called a play that required Keene to make a difficult block—and the freshman tight end attempted to do so, with predictable results. “It was my first drive out there, and I completely missed one of my blocks,” Keene said. “I was like, ‘This is way faster than I’m used to. I need to settle in here and calm down and do my thing.’” Keene actually settled in quite nicely and became an important cog for Tech’s offense as the season went along. He wound up starting 12 games and catching 10 passes for 167 yards. He also played on special teams, finishing with four tackles. More importantly, though, Keene and fellow tight end Chris Cunningham excelled on the tasks that rarely get noticed. They block in the running game, and they pick up blitzers in pass protection. Tech’s staff often says that playing tight end in this scheme is tougher than playing any other position, with the exception of quarterback. Such demands make for a tough transition for a high school running back, but Keene relished the challenge of moving to a different position, one that requires an array of skills. “I love it,” he said. “They got us doing a lot of the dirty work, but that’s a good thing. You need guys that are happy to do that job. You know, kick-out blocks, isolation blocks, stuff like that. I love being that guy.” Tech’s staff hopes that both Keene and Cunningham morph into the type of tight end who enjoyed a stellar career at Memphis —Alan Cross. Cross went to Memphis as a walk-on, and he went on to set records for catches, yards and touchdowns by a tight end. He currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “We still watch film on that guy,” Keene said. “He’s a great example. He’s a super smart guy, and I think he fit this position super well. That’s what we model ourselves off of.” Keene hopes that he and Cunningham can become players more in the mold of Cross, which means becoming more of a part of Tech’s passing game this season. Cunningham caught nine passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, meaning that he and Keene combined for 19 catches. Given the youth and various injuries at the receiver positions this spring, the Hokies need more playmakers to emerge at other spots. Keene feels that he, Cunningham and the three other freshman tight ends are ready for that role and ready to make the tight end position a prominent one in Tech’s offense. “Absolutely, especially since we’re getting more talent in here,” he said. “You’ve got me and Chris in there, and we complement each other really well at this position, so I definitely think they’re going to use us more.” QUICK FACTS ON TECH’S TE’S Returning starters: Dalton Keene (12 career starts) or Chris Cunningham (five career starts) Starter lost: none Projected new starter: none Top reserves: Cole Blaker, Drake Deluliis Newcomers: Blaker, Deluliis, James Mitchell Breakout candidate: Keene Notes: Cunningham scored the game’s lone touchdown in the Hokies’ win over rival Virginia … Cunningham has caught five touchdown passes over the past two seasons … Keene’s 40-yard reception against BC was one of just five Tech pass plays of 40 yards or more last season … Deluliis played in the BC game, but received a medical hardship waiver after being hampered the majority of the season with a hamstring injury. TIGHT ENDS August, 2018 (in numerical order) 29 Dalton Keene (6-4, 246, So.) 42 Cole Blaker (6-3, 245, r-Fr.) 82 James Mitchell (6-3, 239, Fr.) 85 Chris Cunningham (6-2, 245, r-Jr.) 89 Drake Deluliis (6-5, 242, r-Fr.) Returning TIGHT ENDS ready for LARGER ROLE this season by Jimmy Robertson Dalton Keene Season Preview 2 18 TIGHT ENDS