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2017 Signing Class Spotlight: Drake DeIuliis

By Grant Atkinson

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After the departure of Bucky Hodges, the Hokies made a move by adding a couple of tight ends in the 2017 class. While Drake DeIuliis may not be the most talked about TE in the class, he very well may be the most athletic. 

DeIuliis is a 3-star tight end out of Charlotte, NC. According to 247 Sports, he is the 17th TE in the nation and the 11th overall player in the state of NC. In addition, Scout.com adds that he is the number 1 TE in the state of NC.

At 6-6, 220, DeIuliis is very similar in size to fellow Hokie signee Dalton Keene. While both could stand to add a little size, that should not deter them from the opportunity of playing time in 2017.

DeIuliis is a teammate of Blake Proehl, a prospect whom the Hokies made a late push for around signing day. This coincided with the loss of Tahj Capehart. Unfortunately, the Hokies were too little, too late, as Proehl stuck with his commitment to ECU.

During his high school years, DeIuliis had very impressive stats. For his career, MaxPreps reports that he has accumulated 1140 receiving yards, 71 catches, and 20 total TDs.

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His film shows that while he may not have blinding speed off the line, DeIuliis plays much bigger than he is. He can throw blocks with the best of them, and also out-wrestle coverage downfield.

Fuente made it clear last year that offense is his specialty.  He loves to run lots of plays, which is why it is important to have lots of bodies available.

Overall, DeIuliis is part of a very strong receiving corps that will join Virginia Tech for 2017. Even with the departure of Capehart to Maryland, Tech should have plenty of options.

It may even be possible that DeIuliis could redshirt this year to help build strength and knowledge of the playbook. Whether it is immediate or in the future, look for DeIuliis to make a big impact with the Hokies.