Penn-Trafford’s Daniel Tarabrella is staying close to home, as the senior linebacker/wide receiver committed to Duquesne this past week. Tarabella was recruited by co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Scott Farison to play linebacker for the Dukes. The Bluff just always felt like home for Tarabrella.
“Something about the campus, I just loved everything about it,” Tarabrella said in an interview with PSN. “It’s everything that I can ask for. A strong academic program. The students made me feel at home. Great academics, the people. It felt like family.”
Along with Duquesne’s profound academics and vibrant urban campus, Tarabrella felt a close genuine bond with head coach Jerry Schmitt and Farison.
“There are many reasons why I committed to Duquesne, but just talking with them, I can tell a difference than other coaches,” Tarabrella said. “I really kind of fell in love with them. We communicated back and forth throughout the season. Just talking to them, I just felt comfortable with them. They told me about my strength and weaknesses. Of course, I worked on my weaknesses. The coaches were always really honest with me, which is what I loved about them.”
Tarabrella picked Duquesne over Georgetown, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Youngstown State. The close proximity of Harrison City to Downtown Pittsburgh didn’t play a factor in his decision, however.
“It didn’t matter if I was across the street or five minutes down the road. I didn’t care if I was in California. It was about where I felt compatible and at home,” Tarabrella said. “I liked Duquesne and I stuck with my gut. I loved it there.”
Tarabrella went to a Duquesne game and had an official visit this past year. During his visit, he felt a connection with the players and the program overall.
“I really liked the coaching staff and players, Tarabrella said. “The way they run their practices; it was just like Penn-Trafford. How I was coached.”
Tarabrella will officially sign to Duquesne on Dec. 21st during a ceremony at Penn-Trafford High School.
“I’m just looking to open eyes to different people,” Tarabrella said. “I set goals in my high school career, and now I will do that in my college career. It’s good that it’s close to home. I have a lot of family around here. I just wanted to do good things on and off the field and do anything I can to help Duquesne win.”
Tarabrella was a key player on Penn-Trafford’s state championship team in 2021. This past year, Tarabrella led the Warriors with 74 tackles, 43 solos.
