PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne University football team welcomed 11 new recruits on National Signing Day this February.

"I am excited to welcome this talented group of recruits into the Duquesne football family," said head coach Jerry Schmitt. "Their ability and commitment will help us build on our tradition of excellence, both on the field and in the classroom."

The February signees include; defensive lineman Bernard Blakey, defensive back Jeff Banks, wide receivers Zae-Mear Correll, DL Hardison and Devin Voltaire, linebackers Deshaun Harper and Jace Williams, as well as offensive linemen Tony Perrotta, Ethan Thomas, Aidan Vroom and Charlie Young. 

"I am incredibly thankful to our coaches, support staff, and everyone on campus who played a key role in the recruiting process," added Schmitt. "Their dedication is a testament to the exceptional spirit of Duquesne University and the supportive environment that makes it such a great place"

The recruits add to a class that already featured a pair of announced freshman signees, AJ Forehand and Tyler Soles, as well as five transfers Ish Findlayter, Jabari Odoemenem, Joel Kpassou, Tyson Meiguez, and Tyler Feldkamp.

To view the full 2025 signing class, visit Signing Day Central here.

FEBRUARY FRESHMEN SIGNINGS
𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬
Defensive Back • 5'10 • 180
Kissimmee, FL • Osceola HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Third team All-Area defensive back
• Osceola News-Gazette All-County Team
• Multi-year starter in Kowboys defensive backfield
• Helped lead Osceola to state title game as a senior ... Finished runner-up with a 12-3 overall record
• Also was a member of the high school basketball and track & field teams 

𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐲
Defensive Line • 6'5 • 225
Malvern, PA • Malvern Prep
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Three-star recruit
• Two-time second team All-Area and second team All-League on defensive line
• Helped lead team to multiple Inter-AC league championships, finished 8-2 senior season
• Named a Top Edge Rusher in PA by SI.com
• Chose Duquesne over multiple reported FBS offers
• Three-sport athlete, also a member of the basketball and track & field teams

𝐙𝐚𝐞-𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥
Wide Reciever • 6'4 • 191
Clairton, PA • Clairton HS
HUDL • X

• First team all-conference wide receiver
• Two-time second-team all-conference linebacker
• Totaled over 1,500 yards receiving and 20-plus touchdowns in prep career

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫
Linebacker • 6'3 • 210
Palm Bay, FL • Heritage HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Honorable mention all-district
• Helped lead team to back-to-back district titles
• Posted 46 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks
• Chose Duquesne over multiple reported FBS offers

𝐃𝐋 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
Wide Receiver • 5'10 • 150
Cocoa, FL • Cocoa HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Second team All-Space Coast
• Honorable mention District 12 All-Senior Team
• Helped lead Cocoa HS team to state title
• Began prep career at Eau Gallie HS
• Totaled 22 touchdowns and over 2,000 career receiving yards
• Three-star recruit by 247sports.com
• Had multiple reported FBS offers and was a former Florida State commit

𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚
Offensive Line • 6'3.5 • 285
New Castle, PA • Neshannock HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• First team All-State offensive lineman
• Named conference offensive lineman of the year
• Two-time first-team all-conference selection on the offensive line
• Earned first-team all-conference at defensive line 
• Helped lead Neshannock to back-to-back 9-2 overall records as junior and senior
• Also was a member of the high school basketball team

𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬
Offensive Line • 6'5 • 280
Moreno Valley, CA • Santa Margarita Catholic HS 
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Three-star recruit, according to 247sports.com
• Second team All-Trinity League
• All-State nominee
• Totaled 25 pancake blocks at varsity level

𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞
Wide Receiver • 6'3 • 200
Orlando, FL • Sanford Seminole HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Honorable mention All-Area
• Totaled 931 receiving yards and six touchdowns averaging 16.1 yards per catch in prep career
• Helped lead team to 10-2 senior season with a trip to the regional title game

𝐀𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦
Offensive Line • 6'3 • 300
Arlington, VA • Yorktown HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• First team all-district
• Two-time all-region and all-conference selection
• 70+ pancake blocks as senior

𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬
Linebacker • 6'1 • 198
Fort Lauderdale, FL • Plantation HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Charted 29 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a senior
• Chose Duquesne over multiple reported FBS offers
• Also a standout on track & field team ... Bronze medalist in 200m at districts, finished top-10 at regional race.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠
Offensive Line • 6'3 • 265
Cleveland, OH • Saint Ignatius HS
HUDL • X • INSTAGRAM

• Team captain and three-year varsity letterwinner
• Received team awards for legacy/tradition and hardwork/sacrifice
• Two-star rated recruit by 247sports.com
• National Honor Society inductee

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