Chatfield (Littleton, CO) head coach Bret McGatlin wasn’t surprised in the least when Dalton Keene verbally committed to Virginia Tech back on April 18.

“Ever since I’ve known Dalton, which has probably been since he was in the 7th grade, he has been wearing Virginia Tech shirts,” McGatlin said. “I think they were always number one. Colorado State and Nebraska did well as well.”

Keene’s father was teammates and roommates with Virginia Tech defensive line coach Charley Wiles at Murray State, which was led at the time by head coach Frank Beamer. The family connection to the Virginia Tech program “definitely made an impact,” Keene said. “They’re like family to me. They made Blacksburg feel like home. There are definitely other things, though. I love the campus. I love the area. Definitely a family atmosphere. It’s a big town but it has a small town feel. There are tons of outdoor stuff to do, like hunting and fishing.”

As coach McGatlin mentioned, Nebraska made a strong push for the 6’5”, 230-pound rising senior athlete. Keene made his decision soon after an unofficial visit to Lincoln.

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