Feb. 24, 2011

2011 Duquesne Football Signings Highlight Video

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

2011 DUQUESNE FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 2011 DUQUESNE FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS

ALDAIN BARHAM - Starting cornerback and defensive standout for 8-3 Los Angeles Pierce College last season ... originally from Lindenwold, N.J. ... was an all-area and all-conference defensive back at Lindenwold HS where he also ran track ...finished his high school career at Campus Magnet where he was second team NY All-Metro ... played JC ball under head coach Efrain Martinez.

SCOTT BARLEK - Was an all-conference offensive tackle as a junior and senior for Class A Avonworth ... had 39 tackles and four sacks as a senior ... earned a spot on the NAFCA all-star team where he started at left tackle ... named honorable mention all-Eastern Conference ... lettered three years in football and two in basketball ... played football for head coach Jason Kekseo.

TOMMY BEREXA - Played receiver, defensive back and returned punts and kickoffs for Pine-Richland ... was the WPIAL's second-leading receiver and top pass catcher in Class AAAA in the regular season ... caught 45 passes for 597 yards (13.3 ypc.) and five touchdowns on his way to earning WPIAL Quad A Northern Six First Team All Conference honors ... named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette North Fabulous 22 ... also named the P-G North's "Most Underrated Player" ... played for Clair Altemus at Pine-Richland.

JORDAN BROOKS - Was a three-year letterman in both football and basketball at Class 6A Pelham ... earned all-county mention in football ... named All-Shelby offensive lineman by the Birmingham News .. did not allow a sack as a junior or senior ... high school coach Brett Burnett.

DAN BUCHHOLZ - First team all-league defensive lineman ... had 50 tackles and five sacks as a senior ... named honorable mention all-area ... two-year letterman ... also played lacrosse ... high school coach Mike Choi.

BRENT CALVIN - Played offensive and defensive line ... considered to be an exceptional long-snapper ... also played lacrosse at Pine-Richland ... high school football coach Clair Altemus.

VINCE CZERNIEWSKI - Two-way lineman for Class AAAA PIAA state champion and WPIAL champion North Allegheny (15-1) ... NA finished the year ranked No. 19 in the USA Today Super 25 ... named Class AAAA all-state by The Pennsylvania Sports Writers ... first team all-Northern Seven Conference ... will represent Pennsylvania in the 2011 PNC Big 33 Football Classic on June 18 at Hershey (Pa.) Park Stadium ... was one of seven Tigers named to the WesternPAFootball.net Big School All-Star Team ... high school coach Art Walker.

DANTE DaBALDO - Multi-sport athlete was a four-year letterman in football, basketball and track ... named all conference as a junior and senior ... was also a three-time all-section pick in basketball ... four-time medal winner in track ... was invited to participate in the US Army All-American Bowl combine ... finished third in the discus and fourth in the shot put at the 2010 WPIAL Boys' Class AA Track and Field Championships ... high school coach Tom Loughran.

MATT DOMAN - First team All-Great Southern Conference linebacker ... also played fullback ... team captain as a senior ... led team in tackles both as a junior (120) and senior (112) ... honorable mention member of the WesternPAFootball.net Big School All-Star Team ... added six sacks, a forced fumble, seven fumble recoveries and an interception as a junior ... had 11 or more tackles in a game eight times during his junior season ... three-year letterman for Class AAAA Upper St. Clair ... high school coach Jim Render.

TYJUAN FRAY - Helped Ocala, Fla. Trinity Catholic (14-0) to a Class 2B state title ... had an interception and a team-high 11 tackles in the 56-55 triple-overtime championship game win over Fort Lauderdale University ... played free safety/outside linebacker ... finished the year with 116 tackles and five sacks ... was Trinity Catholic's track and field athlete of the year ... ran the third leg for Trinity Catholic's 2010 state champion Class 2A 4x100 relay team ... posted one of the Top Ten 40 times (4.54) at 2010 Under Armour Orlando Combine ... teammate of fellow recruit David Thomas ... high school coach John Brantley III.

JERMAINE HILL - Two-way starter as a senior at running back and defensive end ... was an all-league defensive lineman and member of a Century League championship team as a senior ... named second team all-Century League as a junior ... high school coach Myron Miller.

PAUL MANIA - Helped Hunterdon Central to the Mid-State 39 Football Conference title and to the North II Sectional State NJSIAA Championship game ... first team All-West Jersey linebacker ... earned a spot on the third team all-state defense ... had 72 tackles and 9.5 sacks as a senior ... caught 20 passes for 253 yards as a junior ... high school coach Matt Perotti.

JEREMY SUMMERS - 2010 All NORCAL Conference ... named All-Golden Gate Conference in 2009 ... brother of NFL running back Frank Summers, who was a fifth round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 ... Frank has since signed with the San Diego Chargers ... Jeremy also had offers from Eastern Illinois and New Mexico State ... JC head coach Jay Uchiumi ... high school coach Kevin Evans.

DAVID THOMAS - Played for Class 2B state champion Ocala, Fla. Trinity Catholic (14-0) ... caught three passes for 116 yards, including TDs of 79 and 17 yards, in the 56-55 triple-overtime championship game win over Fort Lauderdale University ... led all county receivers in receptions (61), receiving yards (1,237) and touchdown catches (16) as a senior ... named honorable mention all-state after posting 24 catches for 400 yards and four touchdowns as a junior ... chose Duquesne over offers from Marshall, Valdosta State and Jacksonville ... his HS position coach was former Florida All-American Reidel Anthony ... teammate of fellow recruit TyJuan Fray ... high school coach John Brantley III.

DEVIN WILLIAMS - First team all-East Bay Athletic League defensive back ... helped perennial power De La Salle (14-0) to the CIF State Open Division championship in front of 10,283 fans at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Cailf. ... had a 30-yard punt return in the title game ... named third team all-state ... had 33 tackles (28 unassisted), two sacks and four interceptions as a senior ... also returned 13 punts for 342 yards and two touchdowns ... had 22 stops as a junior in helping the Spartans to an additional Open Division championship... comes from a storied De La Salle program that once had a 151-game win streak and has produced nine NFL players (including five currently playing) ... high school coach Bob Ladouceur.