NEC Blitz Unveils Our 2025 All-NEC First and Second Teams
PITTSBURGH, PA – NEC Blitz is proud to release our inaugural 2025 Preseason All-NEC Football Teams, showcasing the league’s top players. Featured in the NEC Blitz 2025 magazine, this elite lineup previews the Northeast Conference season, providing a watchlist for fans and analysts. Both magazine cover athletes, Adam Urena and Zaon Laney, are featured on the first team.
2025 Preseason All-NEC Team:
First Team Offense:
QB: Adam Urena (Mercyhurst)
RB: Elijah Howard (CCSU)
RB: Zaon Laney (New Haven)
WR: Joey Isabella (Duquesne)
WR: Donovan Wadley (CCSU)
TE: Noah Canty (Duquesne)
OL: Brian Beidatsch Jr (Duquesne)
OL: Michael Fallah (Duquesne)
OL: Donnie Hardin (LIU)
OL: Isaiah DeLoatch (CCSU)
OL: Brady Anderson (Wagner)
Second Team Offense:
QB: Ethan Greenwood (LIU)
RB: Brian Trobel (Mercyhurst)
RB: Taj Butts (Duquesne)
WR: Teree McDonald (Wagner)
WR: Brigham Dunphy (Stonehill)
WR: Rylan Davison (Mercyhurst)
OL: Cameron McLaurin (Duquesne)
OL: AlecZander McCoy (CCSU)
OL: Mofe Adewole (RMU)
OL: Gary Satterwhite III (Duquesne)
OL: Connor Van Tassell (Saint Francis)
First Team Defense:
DL: A.J. Ackerman (Duquesne)
DL: Jack Dunkley (Duquesne)
DL: DQ Watkins (LIU)
DL: Logan Barnes (Wagner)
LB: Geno Calgaro (Saint Francis)
LB: Charles Battaglia (Stonehill)
LB: Malachi Wright (CCSU)
DB: DJ Cerisier (Duquesne)
DB: Christopher Jean (CCSU)
DB: Antonio Epps (Duquesne)
DB: Mo Seide (Stonehill)
Second Team Defense:
DL: Sharod Watkins (CCSU)
DL: PJ Williams (Stonehill)
DL: Jonas King (Mercyhurst)
DL: Zack Athy (Stonehill)
LB: Rafael Fasolino (LIU)
LB: Jack Stoll (CCSU)
LB: Jordan Nelson (RMU)
DB: Trey McLeer (Saint Francis)
DB: Dylan Merrell (LIU)
DB: Jordan Irvine (Stonehill)
DB: Todd Bowles Jr. (LIU)
First Team Special Teams:
K: Jayson Jenkins (RMU)
P: Will Lynch (LIU)
AP: Ethan Greenwood (LIU)
Selected by NEC Blitz, this team predicts 2025 potential, including New Haven’s FCS transition with Zaon Laney. Full analysis of the schools and players is in the NEC Blitz 2025 magazine, available at NECBlitz.com and Amazon.com.
Follow @NECBlitz on Twitter for season updates and join the NEC conversation.
Martin Kicks Off the NEC Commitment Class in 2026 for the Dukes
Will Martin didn’t wait.
The first NEC commit in the 2026 class was a big win for Duquesne. Martin, a 6’2.5”, 220-pound athlete out of Seton LaSalle High School in Pittsburgh, committed to the Dukes with an official announcement on June 9. If you’re going to open up the lid on NEC commits (and Martin eventually set off a flurry of them), you might as well open with a blast. As an opening statement, Martin’s just about as explosive as the 4th of July.
His offer list speaks for itself. He drew FBS attention from Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Akron. His first offer came from Toledo—the same Rockets team that just took down Pitt in a bowl game. He also held offers from FCS Albany and Duquesne’s in-city rival RMU. But when it came time to decide, Martin didn’t hesitate.
“Duquesne was the right place for me as soon as I stepped on campus,” he said. “It immediately felt right. The coaches, the location, and the culture made it home for me.”
Martin received his offer right after a camp, and the moment stuck with him. “The conversation was pretty cool when I got my offer. The defensive coordinator Coach Jacobs and the offensive coordinator Coach Doria were there on the field when they called me and were fighting about which side of the ball they want me to play on. When they offered me, I committed on spot, and they definitely did not expect that.”
He might’ve had options on both sides of the ball, but Martin made it clear where he sees himself at the next level. “They are in between me playing tight end and linebacker right now, but I believe I will end up playing linebacker there because I feel like I’m a defensive player at heart.”
When we asked Martin about what coaches made a difference for him, he had an answer we’ve heard a few times now. “Coach Jacobs definitely stood out to me as the DC,” he said. “Right away I had a connection with him. I clicked with him well and I look forward to playing under him.”
Martin becomes the first commit in Duquesne’s 2026 class—and the first NEC pledge overall. You know that we’re always excited by WPIAL players, and Martin became the first such commit in the class as well. His signing was viewed by local experts like Karlo Zovko of WPIAL Insider as “a shocker.” The NEC does it with some regularity, to be sure, but opening the recruiting season by upsetting a slate of G5 offers is always a good way to begin the recruiting cycle for any team in the league. And if his commitment is any indication, the Dukes are setting the tone early.
Duquesne Establishes Orlando North
The Edgewater-to-Duquesne pipeline is officially a trend.
Nick Collins Jr., a defensive back from Edgewater High School in Orlando, has committed to Duquesne as part of the Dukes’ 2026 class. He’s the third commit for Duquesne so far and the second from Edgewater this cycle, joining athlete Damien Moore Jr. The Eagles went 10-2 in 2024 and are quickly becoming a familiar name in Pittsburgh recruiting circles- at least, for anyone following Duquesne’s recruiting for the class of 2026. We were already familiar with the school after 2025 Edgewater linebacker Deven Thomas also chose Duquesne.
“Duquesne was the right place to pick because they’re a winning program and the connection I’ve built with Coach Mick,” Collins said. “Duquesne has had a lot of success recently in the NEC and coming from a winning program like Edgewater in Orlando, that’s huge. Also, the relationship I have with Coach Mick is amazing. He’s a great coach and someone I look forward to being around and building my connection with more when I’m up at Duquesne.”
Collins got the offer from Coach Mick- that’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Mickey Jacobs- during a spring visit the DC made to Edgewater.
“The day I got offered, Coach Mick was down in Florida at my school watching us practice and I wasn’t even expecting to get an offer that day to be totally honest,” Collins said. “After the practice, he pulled me aside and we were having a good conversation and towards the end is when he told me he was going to give me an offer. It was just a great surprise that day and I’m just blessed to have been good enough to get the offer.”
Despite the growing Florida connection, Collins said Duquesne wasn’t really on his radar until recently.
“To be totally honest, I didn’t [know much about the program],” he said. “I had knew about Duquesne from people that had grew up in Pittsburgh when they were younger but other than that I didn’t know much.”
Pipelines aren’t something that’s automatic or traditional. Ultimately, recruiting is still about relationships, especially in the NEC and similar leagues. I think sometimes that there’s a misconception that coaches at the high school level push their athletes towards preferred schools. While a high school coach is probably pretty likely to keep their athletes away from a school that they’ve had a poor experience with, there’s not really a push toward certain schools. In this case, it was all about the relationship between the player and prospective coach.
That’s the way recruiting always has been. And in the absence of millions of dollars, that’s how it still is.
Love NEC football? Check out the NEC Blitz Football Preview, available for pre-order (digital) on Amazon.com now. (Physical available 7/1/25).
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.
Duquesne Football Signs Graduate Transfer QB Tyler Riddell
Duquesne University football has made a significant move to bolster its roster, signing graduate transfer quarterback Tyler Riddell as the anticipated successor to star quarterback Darius Perrantes. Perrantes, the first-team All-NEC QB in 2024, leaves behind a daunting task- a quarterback will need to fill those shoes on the Bluff, and it looks like Riddell is the front runner to do it.
Riddell brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Duquesne, arriving after a standout 2024 campaign with Gardner-Webb and a five-year stint at East Tennessee State (ETSU). He had also been set to join the FBS Florida International Panthers this offseason prior to decommitting. With over 7,500 career passing yards and 54 touchdowns, the graduate student is poised to make an immediate impact for the Dukes.
In his lone season at Gardner-Webb, Riddell threw for 2,573 yards while tossing 16 touchdowns. His best yardage output came against FBS Charlotte, where he racked up 240 passing yards. He’ll be opening the 2025 season against P4 competition in the Pitt Panthers.
Before Gardner-Webb, Riddell spent five seasons at ETSU. Finishing his Buccaneers career with over 5,000 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, he led ETSU to 11 wins and a SoCon Championship in 2021. That year, he earned Freshman All-American honors, throwing for 2,464 yards while completing 211 passes.
Replacing Darius Perrantes, who dominated the NEC last season, won’t be easy. Perrantes propelled the Dukes to a share of the NEC championship in 2024 and a top 25 ranking at the end of the season. CCSU, Mercyhurst, and LIU are all returning skilled quarterbacks, and Riddell will need to adapt quickly to keep the Dukes competitive in the NEC. Riddell brings not only skill but maturity to a Duquesne squad eager to build on recent success. With spring practice already underway at Duquesne, all eyes will be on Riddell as he settles into his new role. If his past is any indication, Duquesne may have just reloaded under center, potentially erasing their biggest question mark heading into the 2025 season.
First Glance: What Game Should Each Fanbase Be Most Excited For?
With the 2025 NEC football schedule officially released, each team has at least one marquee matchup that could define their season. Whether it's a rivalry clash, an early test against an FBS opponent, or a key conference showdown, these are the games that we’re looking forward to most for each team.
CCSU at Connecticut (8/30/25)
Coming off a Fenway Bowl victory, UConn will have plenty of momentum entering 2025, and Storrs should be electric for this in-state matchup. Electric, yes- but also maybe overconfident. The Blue Devils, fresh off an NEC title, aren’t in rebuilding mode—they’re reloading. Week 1 tends to deliver surprises, and an upset here would certainly make waves across the NEC and beyond.
Duquesne at Robert Morris (11/22/25)
This game carries the most weight for both programs, especially as RMU navigates key coaching and personnel changes. The Colonials start their season with a major test at West Virginia, while Duquesne begins its campaign against city rival Pitt. By the time these two meet in late November, playoff implications could be in play, making this rivalry battle one of the biggest games in the conference. And obviously, in-city rivalry games are what college football should always be about.
LIU at Rhode Island (9/20/25)
Last year, LIU led Rhode Island in the fourth quarter before a late rally by the Rams spoiled the Sharks’ hopes of a signature win. Now, the rematch takes place in Rhode Island, with LIU quarterback Ethan Greenwood firmly established as the starter. After two early FBS matchups, this game will serve as an early measuring stick for just how competitive LIU can be this season.
Mercyhurst vs. LIU (10/4/25)
This is more than just a conference matchup—it's a historic first. Mercyhurst officially enters NEC league play with this home game against LIU, marking a significant moment for the Lakers' program. After ending 2024 on a high note with a win over Saint Francis, the Lakers will be eager to prove they belong in their new conference home.
Saint Francis at CCSU (9/13/25)
Last year’s matchup was a tight contest, with CCSU’s opportunistic defense making the difference. This time, the Red Flash will look to flip the script in their NEC opener on the road. The question is whether CCSU can continue its turnover-driven success or if Saint Francis can capitalize when those opportunities don’t materialize.
Stonehill at Duquesne (10/4/25)
The Skyhawks have been a thorn in Duquesne’s side, winning in both 2022 and 2023 before the Dukes finally got revenge in 2024. Now, the question remains: does Coach Eli Gardner have Duquesne’s number? Playing on the Bluff is always a challenge, and this matchup could have serious implications for NEC standings.
Wagner at LIU (11/22/25)
This rivalry game (we call it the Boroughs Brawl) deserves a trophy—perhaps the Verrazzano-Narrows Trophy, named after the bridge connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn. Last season, LIU took the win, 28-21, ending what had been another growing year for Wagner with a sour taste in Staten Island’s mouth. This time, the Seahawks will have a chance to return the favor and end their season on a high note- or take their season even further, into the playoff.
Cocoa Beach Wide Receiver DL Hardison Signs with Duquesne
And they say Signing Day doesn't have the drama that it used to.
Duquesne made a major splash on National Signing Day, securing a commitment from wide receiver DL Hardison out of Cocoa Beach, Florida. Hardison, listed at 5-foot-10, brings a wealth of talent from one of the most competitive high school football regions in the country. He’s a three-star prospect according to both Rivals and 247Sports.
Hardison originally committed to Florida State in 2022 but later decommitted, reopening his recruitment. His offer sheet included scholarship pledges from major Power Five programs in the region, such as Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia. This is not to suggest that Hardison, at this point, had committable offers. What it should illustrate instead is that major programs saw a player with development potential in him. Now, Duquesne gets a chance to bring out that player on the Bluff.
Duquesne is getting a highly skilled playmaker with proven production. His numbers at Cocoa Beach certainly back it up. Over four varsity seasons, Hardison racked up 123 receptions for 2,130 yards, averaging an impressive 17.3 yards per catch with 22 touchdowns. His senior year was particularly strong, with 39 catches for 623 yards and eight touchdowns against top-tier Florida competition. With consistent improvement throughout his career, he certainly projects to be a player able to be developed for Division 1 play.
Hardison committed to Duquesne on Signing Day, giving the Dukes a significant recruiting victory and adding high-caliber talent to their roster. In Hardison, Duquesne has landed a receiver with tremendous upside. The Dukes have had success developing skill-position talent, and Hardison’s arrival should provide an immediate boost to the offense.
Bringing in a player with Hardison’s pedigree represents a major recruiting win for Duquesne. He joins a talented receiver room that will need an emerging star, as we anticipate that all-NEC first teamer Joey Isabella and second teamer John Erby will be moving on. His experience playing against elite high school talent should serve him well as he transitions to the college level. Now, as he prepares to take the field on the Bluff, all eyes will be on how Hardison’s skills translate to the NEC stage. And if the Dukes have anything to say about it, he’ll be primed to prove the major schools- the ones that previously had him as a priority- wrong.
Florida Pipeline to the Bluff: Duquesne Lands Several Sunshine State Commits
Duquesne continues to tap into Florida’s talent pool, securing multiple commitments from the Sunshine State as the Dukes prepare for the 2025 season.
The latest addition is Deshaun Harper, a linebacker from Palm Bay, FL. Harper, one of several Florida prospects heading to Pittsburgh, chose Duquesne after an impressive visit.
“The visit was great. I got to see a lot of the guys, and it showed me how hard this program truly works and competes,” Harper said. “The winning mindset everyone has here just makes you want to push yourself for the better, which was my reason for picking Duquesne!”
Harper joins a growing list of Florida commits, including Jeff Banks, a defensive back from Orlando, Devin Voltaire, a wide receiver from Fort Lauderdale, and AJ Forehand, a standout from Jacksonville.
The Dukes, who finished the 2024 season as NEC co-champions and ranked #25 nationally, narrowly missed the FCS playoffs. With an influx of talent from Florida, Duquesne appears poised to maintain its status as a top contender in the NEC heading into 2025.