GET TO KNOW: Richard Piekarski, S, Duquesne University

NFL Draft Diamonds has teamed up with Joseph Muia a very solid up and coming scout, to put together a series for our readers called Get to Know. What this series will do is allow you to be a featured on our site, whether you are a freshman or a senior in college. This is a series to help get players at any school gain exposure. We always strive to assist players that have the passion to make it to the next level. So we hope you enjoy our series called GET TO KNOW. Today’s Get to know series will focus on Richard Piekarski the ball hawking safety from Duquesne University, and we feel at NFL Draft Diamonds, you will want to know all about him.

AKA: Rich Piekarski    

Grade You Started Football: Started playing in 3^rd grade

High School: Hudson High School

Position/Positions: All state quarterback in High School, and played some safety as well (not allowed to play as much safety due to playing quarterback per head coach) came to Duquesne as a quarterback and soon after redshirt freshman year moved to safety and have been playing safety at Duquesne ever since

College: Duquesne University

Position/Positions: Came to Duquesne as a quarterback and soon after redshirt freshman year moved to safety and have been playing safety at Duquesne ever since (3 year starter at safety)

Jersey Number: 13

Football Mentor/Inspiration: Probably my family. They come to every game and are my biggest supporters with my football career. I go to them through the tough times and the good

Favorite Slogan: “No substitute for hard work”

Proudest Football Moment/Memory: Winning the Northeast Conference twice at Duquesne. As well as being named to all-conference award lists and preseason award lists as well

Funniest Football Memory: Every day is a fun time at Duquesne hanging with your best friends and teammates

Favorite Food: Steak and potatoes

Best On-Field Performance: Probably my 15 tackle game against the University of Buffalo this year as well as a two interception performance against University at Albany last year

Football Philosophy: My football philosophy has always been to work hard in everything you do. Whether it be in the weight room, film room, or on the practice field to make sure I don’t waste a rep or a second that I can get better

Game Superstitions: Every home game going to the local chapel on campus and pray for a safe game as well as seeing my family before the game

What are your Goals/Aspirations for the 2014-2015: My main goal for this year is to win the Northeast Conference outright and head to the playoffs for the first time in Duquesne history. Some individual goals would be to pass the 200 career tackle mark as well as being named to all-conference lists

Career Goals: To win the conference as many times as possible here at Duquesne and be able to play as long as I can after college

Favorite Football Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Player You Model Your Game After: Troy Polamalu

Who Will Win The Super Bowl: Denver Broncos (Hopefully the Steelers)

Favorite Down Time: Hanging with friends and family as well as watching extra film

What Would You Want College Football Fans To Know About You: I hope that fans know and understand that I am the type of person and leader that will do whatever it takes to succeed and see my teammates succeed. I work extremely hard to reach my goals and understand that it really is the little things that separate the good players from the great