PITTSBURGH - Duquesne head football coach Jerry Schmitt has announced the first members of the 2023 recruiting class. The group of 13 includes six WPIAL products.

"We are excited to welcome this group of young men to our football family in the early signing period," said Schmitt. "They have demonstrated ability on the field, a commitment to excel in the classroom and have been leaders on their teams and in their communities.
 
"I give credit to our coaches, support team and administration for helping with the recruiting process through the changing landscape of college athletics. Educating the recruits and their families on their visit to campus helped the recruits make their decision."

Schmitt, the winningest coach in Duquesne history, will beginning his 19th season this fall.

One of 10 active FCS head coaches with at least 100 wins at his current school, Schmitt has led the Dukes to five Northeast Conference titles and earned a pair of automatic bids to the FCS Playoffs (2015 & 2018).

The Dukes have posted more overall wins (80) and conference victories (51) than any other NEC team since the beginning of the 2011 season.


A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEWEST DUKES

KAHINI AUSTIN
Fr. • 6-3, 265 • Offensive Line
Washington, D.C./St. John's College

• Helped St. John's College to back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Championship.
• Was a two-time all-conference pick.
• Also participated in track and field in high school.
• His father, Franklin, ran track at Fayetteville State.
• Born on December 18, 2004.
 

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MATT BROOKS
Fr. • 6-2, 280 • Defensive Line
Monroeville, Pa./Gateway

• Named first team Big East Conference on both sides of the ball as senior.
• Tied for the team lead with 66 tackles in 2022. Also had a pair of sacks as a senior.
• Caught a 14-yard touchdown pass in a Senior Day win over Norwin.
• Was also a first team all-conference pick as a junior.
• Had 63 tackles (40 solo) and a team-high six sacks for Gateway in 2021.
• Was a Class 6A second team all-star as a sophomore at Canon-McMillan prior to transferring to Gateway.
• Also competed in track for Gateway (shot, javelin and discus).
• Committed to Duquesne on July 4 prior to his senior season.
• Has seven brothers and sisters (third youngest).
• Born on September 23, 2003 in Rush Springs, Okla.
 

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NATE CHIARIZIO
Fr. • 6-3, 240 • Tight End
Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional

• Helped Franklin Regional to a Class 5A Big East Conference title.
• Named honorable mention Big 56 all-section.
• Born on May 24, 2005.
 

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NICK CURCI
Fr. • 6-1, 225 • Linebacker
Apollo, Pa./Apollo-Ridge

• Was name Valley News Dispatch Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,571 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.
• Carried the ball 51 times for 338 yards and five TD's in Apollo-Ridge's 43-36 overtime win over Serra Catholic that led to a Class 2A playoff berth.
• Was a three-time All-Allegheny Conference linebacker.
• His grandfather, Fred Blosser, played football at Kent State where he was an AP honorable mention All-American.
• Served as student council president.
• Also participated in basketball and track.
• Born on March 23, 2005.
 

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ABDALLAH DAUD
Fr. • 6-5, 280 • Offensive Line
Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny

• Was a first team All-Big East Conference pick for WPIAL Champion North Allegheny (11-2).
• Is the youngest of 10 (five brothers and four sisters).
• Born on June 14, 2005.
 

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JACK DUNKLEY
Fr. • 6-4, 240 • Defensive Line
Penndel, Pa./Neshaminy

• Was a second team all-league player as a senior.
• Totaled 49 tackles - including eight for loss - along with five sacks and a pair of forced fumbles as a junior.
• Was a third generation player at Neshaminy following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Jack, and father, Jack.
• Born on February 28, 2005.
 

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GARRETT HARROLD
Fr. • 6-3, 200 • Quarterback
Ashville, Pa./Penn Cambria

• Helped district runner-up Penn Cambria to a 9-2 record.
• Amassed over 2,100 passing yards and ran for 720 yards as a senior.
• Earned All-Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference honors four times in football.
• Was a four-year starter at quarterback.
• Also plays basketball and baseball.
• Was a member of Penn Cambria's 2021-22 District 5-6 Class 4A Championship team (18.0 ppg.).
• Was a 2021-22 third team Class 4A pick in basketball.
• His father, Dane, played baseball at Mansfield.
• Born on November 16, 2004.
 

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DERRON MOORE
Fr. • 6-0, 200 • Linebacker
Woodbury, N.J./Woodbury

• Helped Woodbury to the NJSIAA Group 1 State Championship. It was the first public state title in New Jersey history.
• Was named South Jersey Times Defensive Player of the Year.
• Earned first team All South Jersey, All Group 1 and all-conference honors.
• Named second team All-New Jersey by USA Today Network.
• Posted a team-high 115 tackles along with five sacks.
• Had 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and forced a pair of fumbles in the state title win over Mountain Lakes.
• Helped Woodbury to a 24-3 record over his last two seasons.
• Also participated in track in high school.
• Spent two seasons at outside linebacker and his final two at inside linebacker as a four-year starter.
• Is the youngest of nine.
• Born on December 4, 2003 in Richmond, Va.
 

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KEVIN O'DONNELL
Fr. • 5-10, 190 • Linebacker
Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny

• Was a team captain for WPIAL Champion North Allegheny (11-2).
• Led the Tigers with 110 tackles in earning all-conference honors.
• Is the oldest of four.
• Born on January 16, 2005.
 

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JASON PATTERSON
Fr. • 6-3, 225 • Linebacker
Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic

• Helped Roman Catholic to a 9-3 record and City runner-up finish in 2022.
• Totaled over 60 tackles, including 10 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles as a senior.
• Born on April 26, 2005.
 

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MICHAEL ROBINSON III
Fr. • 6-0, 190 • Defensive Back
Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison

• Named honorable mention Division I All-Central District and first team All-Ohio Capital Conference.
• Was first team all-district as a junior.
• Also participates in track.
• Honor roll student.
• Born on September 4, 2005.
 

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ISAIAH SUMMERLIN
Fr. • 6-2, 195 • Defensive Back
Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller

• Helped Moeller to a pair of state semifinal appearances (13-2 in 2022).
• Was part of two GCL championship and regional finals-winning teams.
• Also played basketball and baseball in high school.
• Active as a Little Buddies mentor.
• Participated in the school choir.
• Born on January 10, 2005.
 

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DANIEL TARABRELLA
Fr. • 6-3, 215 • Linebacker
Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford

• Led Penn Trafford with 74 tackles (43 solo) as a senior.
• Was also the Warriors top receiver with 40 catches for 629 yards and four touchdowns.
• Named first team Class 5A Big East Conference on offense and defense.
• Helped Penn-Trafford to its first WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A titles as a junior.
• Named first team Class 5A all-state (OLB) in 2021 (coaches).
• Team co-captain.
• Was a second team All-WPIAL setter in volleyball.
• His father, Dan, played football collegiately at Tulsa and for the Tampa Bay Storm (OL/DL). The  Arena Football League Strorm were founded in Pittsburgh as the Pittsburgh Gladiators.
• His sister, Angela, played volleyball at Shippensburg (2015-18) and his brother, Nicholas, was a kicker at Ashland in 2018.
• Was National Honor Society president.
• Born on July 14, 2004.

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DUQUESNE FOOTBALL 2023 RECRUITING CLASS
 

NAME	POS	CL	HT	WT	HOMETOWN	LAST SCHOOL
Kahini Austin	OL	Fr.	6-3	265	Washington, D.C.	St. John's College HS
Matt Brooks	DL	Fr.	6-2	280	Monroeville, Pa.	Gateway HS
Nate Chiarizio	TE	Fr.	6-3	240	Murrysville, Pa.	Franklin Regional HS
Nick Curci	LB	Fr.	6-1	225	Apollo, Pa.	Apollo-Ridge HS
Abdallah Daud	OL	Fr.	6-5	280	Pittsburgh, Pa.	North Allegheny HS
Jack Dunkley	DL	Fr.	6-4	240	Penndel, Pa.	Neshaminy HS
Garrett Harrold	QB	Fr.	6-3	200	Ashville, Pa.	Penn Cambria HS
Derron Moore	LB	Fr.	6-0	200	Woodbury, N.J.	Woodbury HS
Kevin O'Donnell	LB	Fr.	5-10	190	Pittsburgh, Pa.	North Allegheny HS
Jason Patterson	LB	Fr.	6-3	225	Philadelphia, Pa.	Roman Catholic HS
Michael Robinson III	DB	Fr.	6-0	190	Columbus, Ohio	Groveport Madison HS
Isaiah Summerlin	DB	Fr.	6-2	195	Cincinnati, Ohio	Archbishop Moeller HS
Daniel Tarabrella	LB	Fr.	6-3	215	Harrison City, Pa.	Penn-Trafford HS