Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 12 No. 1 | August 2019

24 Inside Hokie Sports 2019 TIGHT ENDS DEPTH CHART (in numerical order) 29 Dalton Keene (6-4, 251, Jr.) 42 Cole Blaker (6-3, 250, r-So.) 82 James Mitchell (6-3, 252, So.) 86 Nick Gallo (6-4, 242, Fr.) 89 Drake Deluliis (6-5, 250, r-So.) PLAYER TO WATCH In 2018, Tech featured a two-headed tight end tandem in Dalton Keene and Chris Cunningham, but head coach Justin Fuente and his staff played James Mitchell as a true freshman with the expectation that he gain some experience in preparation for a breakout campaign this season. That strategy appears to be paying off, as Mitchell drew rave reviews for his work this spring. He didn’t catch a pass last season, spending most of his time on special teams, but he showed an ability to play multiple positions this spring—and make plays from all of them. Keene missed this spring with an injury, and Mitchell certainly took advantage of the additional work. Despite playing with a broken finger, Mitchell hauled in a 29-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Willis in the Spring Game. His talent, work ethic, intelligence and quiet, workmanlike disposition have him ready for a major role this fall. OTHERS IN THE MIX The tight end position features a name now familiar to Hokie Nation in the experienced Keene, who has started 25 games in his career entering his junior season. The rugged Keene earned honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2018 after a season in which he caught 28 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. TIGHT ENDS by Jimmy Robertson Keene provides the perfect veteran presence for a unit that lacks a senior. He possesses intelligence, toughness and a work ethic, and truthfully, he brings more athleti­ cism than one may think—witness his 67-yard catch and run for a touchdown against Duke. In addition toKeene andMitchell, the staff expectsDrakeDeluliis to take a step forward. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Deluliis brings size and appears to be turning the corner after spending most of his high school career as a receiver. He played in four games a year ago as the fourth tight end. Cole Blaker and incoming freshmanNick Gallo round out the position. Gallo, the younger brother of former Tech offensive lineman Eric Gallo, fits right in with this group in terms of attributes and skill set. INTERESTING FACTS • Keene’s 67-yard touchdown reception against Duke was the second- longest reception of the season by a Tech player. • Keene caught at least one pass in 11 of the 13 games last season. He hauled in nine passes in the final two games, including a career-best five in the Hokies’ win over Marshall. • Keene has started 25 of the 26 games in which he has played in his career at Tech. • Mitchell started one game last season—the Marshall game. 2019 OUTLOOK Coming out of spring practice, Fuente loved his collection of tight ends. They all bring an array of varying skill sets, and all stand in the 6-3 range and weigh in the 240-245 neighborhood. More importantly, though, all seem to have the flexibility to play any number of positions. A season ago, Tech’s staff flexed Keene out to receiver on occasion and lined him up in the backfield on other instances. After spring practice, Fuente suggested that all of themhad that versatility. He also hinted that the staff may play more multiple tight end sets. This gives the offense the opportunity to take advantage of any mismatches. Overall, the position is in excellent shape. Hopefully, this is a group to be reckoned with this fall. BOLD PREDICTION Mitchell catches 30 passes this season. james mitchell