Hokies defensive end Duan Perez-Means will make the switch to tight end

The long-rumored switch is official: Hokies defensive end Duan Perez-Means will play tight end this season, according to Frank Beamer's personal website.

Perez-Means, a sophomore from Richmond, requested the move, the site said. He played in all 14 games at defensive end last season but got minimal playing time behind starters James Gayle and J.R. Collins, a pair All-ACC honorees who both return.

Perez-Means  finished with 8 tackles and half of a tackle for loss. Five of those stops came against Appalachian State and Arkansas State.

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He got some work on the scout team at tight end, where he'll give the Hokies another option now that starter Chris Drager graduated following a 15-catch, 201-yard senior season. The competition figures to be between Perez-Means, junior Eric Martin, sophomore Ryan Malleck and senior Randall Dunn. Martin, Dunn and senior George George combined for 6 catches, 69 yards and 2 touchdowns last season.

The 6-foot-4, 248-pound Perez-Means played on both sides of the ball at Hermitage High School. He had 22 catches and 8 touchdowns as a junior. He averaged 27 yards per catch in a six-game senior season cut short by injury.

A shoulder injury delayed his enrollment until January of 2010. He redshirted his first year while working at defensive end.

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