Hempfield receiver Kopas takes preferred walk-on offer from Duquesne

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 7:47 PM

Jack Kopas is going Division I after all.

The Hempfield senior football player had D-I hopes, but was just about ready to commit to a Division II program in the PSAC when a new team entered the conversation.

All of the sudden, Duquesne is his school of choice.

Kopas, a wide receiver, took the Dukes’ offer as a preferred walk-on and will get a roster spot and a chance to earn a scholarship.

National signing day is Wednesday.

A first-team all-Class 6A conference wideout, Kopas also had D-II offers from IUP, Edinboro, Slippery Rock, Gannon, and Lock Haven.

He strongly considered IUP.

Kopas (6-foot, 185 pounds) set program records for receptions (61) and yards (810) in a season, and career catches (109).

“Jack’s willingness to commit to Duquesne says everything about who he is,” Hempfield coach Nick Keefer said. “He’s earned every opportunity through relentless work, consistency and leadership. He didn’t wait for anything to be handed to him. He went and took it. Coming off a record-setting season, he’s proven what happens when preparation meets opportunity, and I couldn’t be more proud of the example he’s set for our program.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield