Gallo, Deiuliis bring a lot of leadership into 2022

When your offensive coordinator is also the tight ends coach, you can expect to see a lot of two tight end sets on the football field.

When you have two upperclassmen tight ends in Nick Gallo and Drake Deiuliisthe leadership in the room couldn’t be better.

“Their approach and their work ethic every day has been outstanding,” Offensive Coordinator Tyler Bowen said. “Their leadership, how they are bringing along the younger guys in the room – Benji (Benji Gosnell), Harrison (Harrison Saint Germain), and Daequan (Daequan Wright) – and Ty Eller showing up in a leadership role, we’ve got a really good room of guys that are helping each other succeed.”

Between Gallo and Deiuliis, Virginia Tech returns a lot of game experience at a position that doesn’t always gain the notoriety it deserves and both can contribute in one or two tight end sets.

“I feel good about,” Bowen said about running a lot of two tight end sets with Gallo and Deiuliis. “A lot of things depend on the game plan and how that unfolds, what gives the defense the most problems, but I feel good about those guys. They are experienced, they are consistent in what they do, they are consistent in their approach every day, so I have been fired up about both of them.”

Of the two, Gallo has been more productive with his hands during his time at Virginia Tech, recording 25 receptions over the past two seasons, but both could be called upon often under the new staff in Blacksburg.

“I think they are pretty good all-around guys. You can utilize them in a variety of ways and deploy different formations, so that’s been fun to play around with over the spring, over the summer, and in fall camp.”