Duquesne Camp Shines in the Rain
The skies opened up, but the doors to the Bluff stayed wide open.
Duquesne’s June 6 football camp brought in athletes from across the East Coast, including plenty who crossed state lines and boarded jets to be there. There was a steady rain like usual in the Steel City, but the Dukes managed to run a full camp of competitive reps, hands-on coaching, and crucial evaluations that led to several offers in the days following.
For Orlando hybrid defender Zeke Gunn, the wet weather didn’t dampen the experience. In fact, it added to it. (He’d fit in.)
“It rained the whole time but that made it kinda fun,” Gunn said. “The coaches were really coaching a lot and seemed to care a lot about technique and fundamentals.”
Gunn, who plays safety, outside linebacker, and wide receiver, was moved around throughout the day. Coach Jacobs had him work with the safeties before shifting him to linebacker, then even got him some WR reps.
“I won some 1v1s,” Gunn offered. “All the coaches were great.”
After a tour of the campus and some time to digest the visit, Gunn got the call he’d been waiting on.
“I thought I did well, but with it taking a couple days, I definitely got nervous,” he said. “Very happy he called me today and offered.”
That same day, another athlete from Orlando got his own good news. Akeevin Anderson, also of Orlando Christian Prep impressed throughout the camp and followed up with a Monday phone call from the Dukes' staff.
“The conversation was good,” Anderson reported. “He told me I’m one of the highest kids on their board right now and that the whole staff loved my film and that I’m a baller!”
Anderson had already felt wanted at camp, calling the full staff “very welcoming” and giving particular credit to Coach Jacobs and Head Coach Jerry Schmitt.
Meanwhile, Carlos Diggs, a versatile athlete from nearby Gateway High School, didn’t need directions to campus. What he did need was an opportunity to compete, and the camp on the Bluff offered that.
“It was great, a lot of great coaching, with a lot of great drills, and good competition,” Diggs said. “My experience was good except all the rain, but you can’t choose what conditions you play in on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.”
Diggs confirmed that while his recruitment remains open, the idea of playing for his hometown school “does excite” him. Gateway has long been a talent-producing program in the Pittsburgh region, and the Dukes clearly took note.
Not every camper received an offer. Not every camper needed one right away. But the feedback and chance to compete in front of a D1 coaching staff is worth the effort. The Dukes certainly gave out offers, but in one case, they even got something back. Local standout ATH Will Martin of Seton LaSalle was offered and wasted no time letting Dukes Nation know that he had finally gotten the offer he’d been waiting on. Martin committed, turning down multiple FBS programs to stay home and compete in Pittsburgh. This is the first commit in 2026 that we’ve caught in the NEC. Martin came to the Bluff, competed, showed the coaches what he could do, and came away with the offer he’d dreamed of. For their part, the Dukes have their first piece to build around for the future.
And that’s how you win football games up here in the Northeast: recruit, evaluate, and develop. Rain or shine.
