They are young. They are athletic and talented. And they are ready to play.

The first freshman class with players receiving athletic scholarships already is making an impact at practice as Duquesne prepares to enter its inaugural season in the Northeast Football Conference after winning or sharing 11 championships in 14 years in the now-defunct Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

When coach Jerry Schmitt posts the final two-deep depth chart a couple of days before the opener Sept. 6 at Bucknell, it's likely that as many as three freshmen will be on the first team and a handful more on the second unit.

"We're trying to get the best 11 players and the best 11 athletes on the field at the same time," Schmitt said of the Dukes, who return 13 starters from a 6-4 team that was 3-1 against NEC opponents. "We're trying a lot of guys out at different positions, mostly the young guys. We are trying them on both sides of the ball."

The most dramatic switch has been made by senior Greg Hough, from running back, where he was the team's leading rusher last season, to linebacker, where he was a first-team All-MAAC performer in 2006. Cleo Williams, academically ineligible the past two seasons, will be the featured runner in a pass-oriented attack.

It didn't take Hough long to agree to the move when Schmitt asked him to make it in the spring.

"I like to think I'm doing the hitting at both positions," Hough said, smiling. "I've had success at both positions and feel comfortable at both positions."

As for the freshmen, Hough said: "I've noticed these recruits, definitely. You can tell they're a different caliber athlete."

While Schmitt has a pretty good handle on most of his lineup, he still is waffling at quarterback where incumbent Kevin Rombach and Michigan State transfer Connor Dixon are waging a spirited competition. Schmitt's decision won't be made until after the scrimmage tomorrow against IUP.

"Whatever I decide won't be set in stone," Schmitt said. "We are very pleased with both guys. It's a matter of one of them stepping up and taking control of the team."

Rombach completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,410 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Dixon, who led South Park to a 16-0 record and a PIAA Class AA title in 2005, was redshirted in '06 and was the backup at Michigan State last season. He only played in the opener when he completed 3 of 5 passes for 37 yards against UAB.

"Quarterback is our most important position," Schmitt said. "We're not putting a deadline on when we have to name a starter."

Although All-American wideout Bruce Hocker is gone, the Dukes expect to continue stretching the field with Alex Roberson as the big-play receiver.

The defense returns several veterans, led by lineman Mykol Gardiner (7.5 sacks) and cornerback Aaron Strader (4 interceptions).

"This is a very exciting time to be in the Duquesne football program," Hough said. "A lot of new things are happening."

Including the arrival of what promises to be one of Duquesne's most productive freshman classes.