As the recruiting season picks up Buffalo continues to acquire defensive linemen. On the same week that UB received a verbal from Alex Curts they also secured a commitment from "Duke" Hwang. Hwang, an All State Honorable Mention defensive lineman, plays his prep ball at Williamsvile North which sits only a few miles from UB's campus.
Hwang was a star on both sides of the Ball for the Spartans as they reached the the state championships in Syracuse for the very first time. North had a disappointing end to their Cinderella run, losing 36-7, but in the process of getting there the Spartans knocked off upstate several powerhouses like Sweet Home high school.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Hwang is going to need to put on a little mass to play the defensive line but if he can do that while maintain his current speed and athleticism he may be fighting for a starting role before he is done at UB.
"For a kid his size, his quickness and speed are really deceiving. He ran a legit 4.85 second 40-yard dash at the beginning of the year. And along with his straight line speed, his quickness is hard to believe. The lower half of his body is extremely strong, and his quickness and strength make him tough to move. He was critical in a lot of situations for us; he could move around all over the line with his versatility." Coach Mike Mammoliti
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Duke Hwang |
| Position: | Defensive Line |
| Home Town: | Williamsville |
| School: | Williamsville North |
| Intended Major: | Business Mgmt |
Hwang delivered hits on offense as a full back and on the in the center of the defensive line as a tackle. Last season,, on defense, Hwang recorded 55 total tackles, including four for a loss. He also finished with a team-high 8.5 sacks.
Staying close to home and family was important for Hwang. At Buffalo Duke will be playing only a few miles from his family. "My family is right here so I can see them", Hwang told Bull Run, "and I can see my little brothers play as well as them getting to see me."
Being in upstate New York, and a defensive standout Hwang had the most contact with Coaches Lou Tepper and Chris Cosh. "As the D coordinator and section 6 recruiter I built a relationship with Tep and loved him". Tepper and Cosh talked the most about developing Hwang as a nose guard.
On campus the Spartan has connected with former Willaimsillve South player and UB Quarterback Joe Licata. He also spend some time with UB linebacker Brandon Crawford during last weeks camp.
Hwang picked Buffalo over an offer from CUSA member UTEP and FCS member Colgate. He is considering a Major in Business Management at UB.