Feb. 24, 2011
PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University head football coach Jerry Schmitt announced the addition of 15 student-athletes to the Dukes football program today.
The incoming class covers six states ranging from Alabama to Florida to California.
This is the fourth season Duquesne has offered scholarships in the sport of football in the modern era.
"I am very excited about this recruiting class as we continue to develop our program in the Northeast Conference," said Schmitt. "These student-athletes are talented football players, have a strong commitment to their academic future, and believe in the team-first concept.
"The staff is looking forward to working with each of these young men when they join us in the fall."
The 2011 season will be Duquesne's fourth as an associate football-playing member of the Northeast Conference.
The Dukes, who closed last season with wins in four of their final five games, will return 14 starters from last year's 7-4 team (5-3 in the NEC).
DU will open four-plus weeks of spring practice on March 16. The annual spring game will take place on Saturday, April 17 on Rooney Field. The time of the game is to be announced.
RECRUITING CLASS BREAKDOWN BY STATE
Pennsylvania: *7
California: 3
Florida: 2
Alabama: 1
New Jersey: 1
New York: 1
* - Six of the seven Pennsylvania recruits competed in the WPIAL
Not a bad class.
A couple of Junior College transfers. Four guys from various state championship teams. Duquesne is winning recruiting battles with a number of fully-funded FCS and FBS programs like Marshall, Massachusetts, and Eastern Michigan.
Including the TE, the list includes 8 linemen which addresses a clear recruiting need this year.
No QB or RB, but the Dukes are okay in the offensive backfield with a good crop of solid underclassmen already on the roster.
GO DUKES!
