PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne University football program has announced the signing of three student-athletes for the upcoming 2024 season – featuring two transfer defensive backs (Nell Davis and TJ Jones) and a local high school standout on the defensive line (Carter Lance).
"We are excited to welcome a talented group of student-athletes to the Duquesne Football family," said head coach Jerry Schmitt. "They will complement our current team by excelling on the field and in the classroom."
RELATED: Signee Snapshots
Davis, a 6-2, 185-pound defensive back, arrives on the Bluff after spending three seasons at Rutgers, a Division I FBS program in the Big Ten Conference. The Galloway, N.J. native competed in 15 games for the Scarlet Knights totaling seven tackles. Davis is a graduate of Eau Gallie High School in Florida, while also spending time at Absegami and St. Augustine during his scholastic career. As a senior at Eau Gallie, Davis was rated as the No. 7 player out of Florida by ESPN and was a consensus three-star recruit. The prep standout earned first team All-Star on offense in 2019 by The Press of Atlantic City and was selected first team West Jersey Football League by The Star Ledger.
Jones, also a graduate of Eau Gallie HS, will dawn the Red and Blue after three seasons at Gardner-Webb, a Division I FCS member of the Big South-OVC Conference. Jones is a 5-11, 180-pound defensive back that will also provide an option at return spots. The Melbourne, Fla. product was an All-Space Coast and Brevard County All-Division honoree during his high school career, earning a two-star rating by Rivals.com. At Gardner-Webb, Jones started 12 games at corner back for the 2022 Runnin' Bulldogs squad that made an FCS Playoffs run, while charting 36 tackles (23 solo), four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. He played in 25 games and racked up 52 tackles over his three-year stint in Boiling Springs.
Lance, the lone high school recruit during the early signing period, hails from nearby football powerhouse Penn Hills. The 6-3, 260-pound defensive lineman is coming off a first team all-conference selection helping lead the Indians to a conference championship and a WPIAL district semifinal appearance. He was a three-time all-conference player over his scholastic career – once as a guard and twice as a defensive tackle.
"The staff did an excellent job in this December signing period of finding young men of character that will fill our needs and help the 2024 Dukes compete at a high level," said Schmitt – who will enter his 20th season on the Bluff next fall.
Duquesne (7-5, 6-1 NEC) won its sixth Northeast Conference (NEC) championship and made its third appearance in the FCS playoffs this past season.
SIGNEE SNAPSHOTS
NELL DAVIS
Galloway, NJ • Eau Gallie (Fla.) HS • Rutgers
6-2 • 185 • Defensive Back
HIGHLIGHTS • NCAA STATS PAGE • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM
TJ JONES
Melbourne, FL • Eau Gallie (Fla.) HS • Gardner-Webb
5-11 • 180 • Defensive Back/Athlete
HIGHLIGHTS • NCAA STATS PAGE • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM
CARTER LANCE
Pittsburgh, PA • Penn Hills HS
6-3 • 260 • Defensive Tackle
HIGHLIGHTS • TWITTER • INSTAGRAM
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