2026 Top Pittsburgh Linebacker Colsen Gatten Shocks Fans with Unexpected Duke Commitment

There’s a fresh ripple stirring Pittsburgh’s football waters as Duke University strikes again with an enticing verbal commit. Central Catholic High’s linebacker, Colsen Gatten, a 2026 three-star prospect, has thrown his lot in with the Blue Devils this Wednesday. Under the guidance of Manny Diaz and his defensive aces like Jonathan Patke, Gatten’s set to carve out his college gridiron narrative in Durham. Interestingly, Diaz’s connection to Gatten predates his Duke tenure, tracing back to their Penn State days—proof that relationships in recruiting often bloom long before the ink hits the paper. This signing isn’t just a one-off; Duke’s building a palpable pipeline from Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic, strengthening their footprint in Pennsylvania recruiting territory. With campus visits already checked off and notable offers from a cavalcade of powerhouse programs, Gatten’s choice signals more than just a commitment—it’s a strategic move in a broader recruiting chess game. As the Blue Devils welcome him aboard, the 2026 roster swells to seven commitments, hinting at an escalating ambition… and the hunt is just getting started. LEARN MORE

AdvertisementThis is the second consecutive cycle in which the Blue Devils have landed a pledge from a Pittsburgh Central Catholic linebacker, as Duke signed four-star prospect Bradley Gompers in the 2025 class.In addition to Duke and Penn State, Colsen Gatten has received scholarship offers from Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, SMU, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

In addition to Duke and Penn State, Colsen Gatten has received scholarship offers from Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, SMU, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

In addition to Duke and Penn State, Colsen Gatten has received scholarship offers from Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, SMU, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.

Gatten is a Penn State legacy recruit, as his father, Aaron Gatten, played for the Nittany Lions in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, Colsen will look to blaze his own trail at Duke.Gatten intends to play his college football under head coach Manny Diaz, defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jonathan Patke and the rest of the staff at Duke.He took an official visit to Pitt during the weekend of June 6 through June 8, and previously had an official visit planned to Indiana. His official visit date to Duke is not yet known.With Colsen Gatten now in the fold, Duke’s 2026 class grows to seven total commitments.