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.
