Southeast Missouri State tight end Danny Joiner, a junior from Kansas City, started 10 games last year for the Redhawks.

Despite catching only seven passes for 90 yards, he is considered one of the top players in the Big South-OVC Association at his position. That is primarily because of his contributions to the overall protection.

"I've always been a great blocking tight end even throughout high school," Joiner said.

Joiner started his college career at Army in 2021, a run-heavy service academy where his background helped him as a run-blocking tight end.

"I would say that background of run blocking just helps because we're always at the focal point of attack of the offense," Joiner said. "We always have pivotal we need to make to make the run succeed."

With Geno Hess setting school and conference records and Flournoy catching his way to the Dallas Cowboys, Joiner fitted in perfectly as a blocking tight end. Now with no definitive leading receiving target entering this season, there is an opportunity for him to expand his game and contribute to the passing attack.

SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz said it was a “priority” to get Joiner more involved in the passing game.

“He’s hard to tackle once he catches it and stuff,” Matukewicz said. “So look for him to have a really good reception game this year.”

Joiner lined up as a receiver in multiple snaps during the intrasquad scrimmage last weekend and made some impressive catches when the ball was thrown toward him.

"The coaches definitely trust me more with the ball in my hands," Joiner said. "I just try to capitalize on every opportunity I get with the ball."

Joiner said he started working to increase his speed over the offseason through the team's training program led by SEMO director of sports performance Wes Piersall.

"I have to win rounds against the safeties and the corners," Joiner said. "I feel like my speed's really increased, so it's been helping a lot."

The Redhawks have always been the ideal fit for Joiner. His father played here alongside Jeromy McDowell, a former SEMO quarterback who is currently on the coaching staff as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Adding to the family's gridiron glory, his younger brother, Derek Joiner, is a freshman offensive lineman at Houston.

"[Joiner] is a very smart football player and he cares a lot," DeLaurent said.

Joiner transferred to SEMO around the same time as quarterback Paxton DeLaurent in 2022. He emphasized, "building that relationship with Paxton and letting him know that he can always throw the ball to me." And given the years they've spent together since arriving a SEMO, that shouldn't be hard.

"He's my roommate, my best friend," DeLaurent said. "So I think that kind of helps our connection."

DeLaurent said despite Joiner not having the ideal physical traits of a No. 1 wide receiver, he has shown to be smart enough to make up the difference in his route running and connection with him.

"He knows where to go and we've thrown a lot of passes to each other," DeLaurent said. "We can kind of feel out, kind of look at each other and we see pressure for alert. So I think he's gonna get more involved this year because there's a lot of trust."

The Redhawks begin the season in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday, Aug. 24, in the FCS Kickoff against North Alabama.