Lincoln Hoke Ready ‘To Create Something Special’ at Pitt

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, there were many layers that made committing to Pitt to play college football so special for North Allegheny defensive tackle Lincoln Hoke.

When the 2026 WPIAL recruit started his official visit, he knew that announcing a commitment was a possibility and by Friday morning it was a done deal.

Later that night, he took the opportunity during a dinner with the recruits at Acrisure Stadium to stand in front of the room and become the first commitment of the weekend.

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“I had a plan. I committed earlier that day and I was going to announce it at dinner and get it rolling. I got up to the mic — I was the first one — and I said I was committing and then everyone started going crazy. Then, we had five other guys come up after and announce it right there, too.”

Committed!!! #H2P@Pitt_FB @CoachDuzzPittFB @coachdaoust @BatesBacker pic.twitter.com/JRi0W4aw2G

— Lincoln Hoke 3⭐️ (@LincolnHoke76) June 7, 2025

Hoke wanted to set the tone for WPIAL players pledging to Pitt and he did as Pine-Richland offensive lineman John Curran III and Peters Township defensive end Reston Lehman both followed suit and announced during the dinner.

“We had three WPIAL guys commit this weekend and hopefully we get some more coming. It means a lot to really show the WPIAL pipeline to Pitt. We got to get that going and we got to create something special back at Pitt. I think we can create something different coming up here,” Hoke said.

The WPIAL buzz began with Hoke’s player host, Central Catholic grad and current Pitt defensive lineman Ty Yuhas.

“I loved it. I couldn’t ask for a better host. He was taking care of me. I’d ask him any question, he’d shoot me straight and give me the truth to every answer. He made me realize why Pitt was the right school. He was one of the funniest dudes ever. They treated me like family, like one of his brothers,” Hoke said.

While Hoke solidified his commitment during the official visit, his interest in Pitt has been growing for a while after he was offered by Daoust back in February.

“I think probably a little bit after I got the offer and then Daoust was always keeping in touch,” Hoke said regarding when he knew he wanted to go to Pitt. “Narduzzi was keeping in touch. It was constant communication between us for months. Of course, we’re still communicating but it’s been like that for months and that’s when I knew this could be it.”

The conversations between the three-star recruit and Daoust played a vital role in his decision to commit, especially when considering his future development.

Pitt commit Lincoln Hoke with defensive line coach Tim Daoust. Photo courtesy of Hoke’s X account.

“Just how they believe in me. That’s big for me with coaches. They believe I can be successful at Pitt and that they can develop me. Even aside from the football factor, Coach Daoust, him and my dad have had conversations where he’s going to take care of me as a man. He’s going to turn me into a man. He’s going to help me become the best human I can be, not only the best football player. Making that decision to be with him and be coached by him is not only a great decision for football but for my life,” Hoke said.

On top of it all, Hoke has the opportunity now to play in the same stadium that his father, Chris, made a living with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I can feel it already,” Hoke said. “It’s a surreal feeling. My dad was telling me about it that very night after I announced. We were just talking how special that is because he played 11 years in that same stadium — he played his whole career there. He’s had so many great memories and so many battles on that field. Me playing the same position, I’m going to be able to go do the same thing for a couple of years on the same field. I can’t wait.”

As the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Hoke looks to transform into a talented defensive end at the college level, Pitt saw the potential with his play style.

“My thing’s always been technique,” Hoke said. “I’m very technical with my hands and I fit well in their defense with quickness. They like to move around up front and they need quick guys up front. They like my quickness and speed that I have and the ability to do that.”