logo
Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State LB Dominic DeLuca with his player profile

Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State LB Dominic DeLuca with his player profile

USA Today03-05-2025

Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State LB Dominic DeLuca with his player profile
Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.
Dominic DeLuca is back in Happy Valley for one final season of college football. The redshirt senior will take advantage of his sixth year of eligibility provided by the NCAA as a result of the 2020 season being impacted by the pandemic. His veteran presence will be good to have as the defense undergoes a transformation on the field with new leadership in place. DeLuca has been a fun story to follow as a walk-on player to a player making plays in the College Football Playoff.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: West Pittston, Pennsylvania
Height: 6-1
Weight: 235 lb
Class in 2025: Redshirt Senior
Recruiting Rankings
Class of 2020: No recruiting rankings available
Dominic DeLuca started off his career at Penn State as a walk-on player after flying under the radar on the recruiting trail. Penn State kept its eye on the in-state talent, and it did not take long to realize why, as he quickly became a standout performer as a developmental squad player and eventually earned a scholarship in the program.
Career Stats
Games Tackles Sacks INT FF 2020 - - - - - 2021 3 0 0 0 0 2022 13 29 1.0 0 0 2023 13 29 1.0 2 2 2024 15 40 0.5 3 0
Depth Chart Overview
The veteran linebacker who has worked his way up from being a walk-on player will continue to provide leadership for the defense. The Penn State defense will have a bit of a new look with its formations this year under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, but DeLuca is widely expected to continue playing a key role on the field. DeLuca will pair with rising star Tony Rojas at the linebacker spots.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Penn State DE Max Granville sustains long-term injury
Penn State DE Max Granville sustains long-term injury

USA Today

time14 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Penn State DE Max Granville sustains long-term injury

Penn State's depth at defensive end has taken another hit. According to a report by Tyler Donohue of Lions247, Nittany Lion Max Granville has sustained a "long-term injury," which likely means he'll miss a portion of the season, if not all of it. Penn State also saw departures from Abdul Carter, Amin Vanover, Smith Vilbert and Joseph Mupoyi this offseason, leading to lots of turnover within the position room heading into the 2025 season. Granville was considered a contender to start opposite Dani Dennis-Sutton, with Zuriah Fisher and Jaylen Harvey also in the mix. Regardless of whether he earned a starting role, the redshirt freshman was expected to be a key contributor this fall. Granville appeared in four regular season games and three postseason games for Penn State last season, allowing him to maintain his redshirt status while getting plenty of reps. He earned praise from coaches for his quick acclimation to the college level despite reclassifying to forego his senior year of high school and enroll a year early. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Granville was active throughout spring practices and appeared in the team's annual Blue-White Game. It's unclear the exact timeline for Granville's injury, but the Nittany Lions will be without a rising star on the defense for a substantial period of time.

Five programs that are punching above their weight in recruiting
Five programs that are punching above their weight in recruiting

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Five programs that are punching above their weight in recruiting

© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Commitment season is here and there will be massive changes to the 2026 team rankings over the next month and a half. Taking a look at the team rankings as they stand right now, there are programs near the top of the list that haven't been associated with elite recruiting classes in recent years. Advertisement Here are five programs that are currently punching above their weight in the team rankings. RECRUITING RUMOR MILL: Latest buzz on nearly three dozen prospects | June kicks off with a bang | Baltimore | Detroit NEW RIVALS250 RELEASED: Ranking | Top storylines | Ten prospects who could rise with a big June CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info ARIZONA STATE Marshall Levenson/ Advertisement RELATED: Arizona State 2026 commit list Head coach Kenny Dillingham has certainly "activated the valley" with this recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 15 in the team rankings. It's been more than 10 years since the Sun Devils have finished with a top-20 recruiting class and it's not out of the question to think Arizona State could reach that threshold this year. Just one season after its unlikely run to the College Football Playoff, Arizona State currently holds commitments from three four-star prospects, which is more than in any Arizona State class since the 2021 recruiting cycle. The Sun Devils may not be known as a recruiting power but the arrow is certainly pointing up. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ARIZONA STATE FANS AT ILLINOIS Nick Lucero/ RELATED: Illinois 2026 commit list Head coach Bret Bielema has been making waves in the media this offseason but don't let that distract you from the success the Illini have been experiencing on the recruiting trail. Illinois currently has a top-10 recruiting class, something the program has never had at the end of a recruiting cycle. In fact, Illinois' highest-ranked recruiting class was in 2007 when it finished at No. 20 in the team rankings. With five four-star prospects onboard, Illinois is set up to finish with one of the best recruiting classes in program history. If they crash the College Football Playoff this season, who knows how high the Illini could finish. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ILLINOIS FANS AT LOUISVILLE Nick Lucero/ RELATED: Louisville 2026 commit list The Cardinals were fully engaged with recruiting the transfer portal earlier than the majority of college football teams and have been aggressive there over the last few years, signing just 15 or 16 high school prospects in each of the last four years. In this cycle though, head coach Jeff Brohm and company already have 17 commitments and find themselves just outside the top 10 and the team rankings. With two Rivals250 commitments and an additional four-star commitment, the Cardinals are in position for their highest-ranked recruiting class since the 2023 cycle. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LOUISVILLE FANS AT RUTGERS RELATED: Rutgers 2026 commit list Rutgers and head coach Greg Schiano have had highly ranked recruiting classes early in the recruiting process in previous years only to see teams surpass them by the time National Signing Day rolls around. Still, the Scarlet Knights have put together a strong recruiting class with five four-star prospects and currently sit inside the top 10 of the team rankings. Rutgers has never finished with a top-25 recruiting class, but there is still time for the Scarlet Knights to pick up momentum with key prospects and reel them in before the end of the recruiting cycle. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH RUTGERS FANS AT USC RELATED: USC 2026 commit list The Trojans are a far cry from the Pete Carroll years when they were consistently signing top-five recruiting classes, but head coach Lincoln Riley and general manager Chad Bowden have seemingly reversed that trend. USC currently sits at No. 1 in the team rankings with a total of 27 commitments, including two five-stars and three other top-100 prospects. The Trojans will need to continue to add elite prospects to this class if they hope to hold onto that top spot, but they've already positioned themselves to finish well inside the top 10. In the last seven recruiting classes, USC has finished in the top-10 just twice. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH USC FANS AT

Recruiting Rumor Mill: Latest intel on dozens of top prospects
Recruiting Rumor Mill: Latest intel on dozens of top prospects

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Recruiting Rumor Mill: Latest intel on dozens of top prospects

The first weekend of official visits was so massive that a second Recruiting Rumor Mill was definitely needed and this is the biggest one yet from Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney. RECRUITING RUMOR MILL: June kicks off with a bang | Baltimore | Detroit NEW RIVALS250 RELEASED: Ranking | Top storylines | Ten prospects who could rise with a big June MORE: Baylor QB commit Quinn Murphy talks major new offer Advertisement CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info What stood out most to Bach during his Kansas visit over the weekend was all the development being done to the program, that every facility is brand-new and the message from the coaches being that the tight end room is older so he can step in and have a big, early opportunity. Kansas State might have the slightest edge but Kansas and TCU round out his top three. Michigan, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M and Penn State are the four finalists for Barney, who commits on July 5, and the word has been that the Aggies are the front-runner. But the Erie, Pa., native, who's now playing in Carrollton, Ga., had a great visit to Penn State recently and his weekend trip to Georgia Tech couldn't have been better. Advertisement The comfort level he has 'every single time' he's there and the message that he's needed in that program resonated. Georgia Tech has emerged as the front-runner for the high three-star QB from Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More, especially after a great weekend visit. But Colorado just offered after he threw for that coaching staff and he's going to FAU this weekend. Oklahoma State and UCLA are getting involved. The Yellow Jackets lead but now there's more competition. Bywater 'can't say enough good things' about his weekend visit to Utah as the Utes are going to be very tough to beat in his recruitment, especially after this visit. The three-star defensive end from Salt Lake City (Utah) Olympus loved the attention to detail on everything and how the coaching staff has treated him throughout the recruiting process. Advertisement Boise State and BYU are the other contenders but the Utes are in front. A battle between Florida and Georgia is raging for the high three-star offensive tackle from St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood. 'Really everything' stood out to Campbell during his trip to Athens as the Bulldogs are now 'extremely high' in his recruitment, especially since the coaching staff made it clear that he's a top priority along the offensive line. A classic SEC East battle is brewing here. After early overtures from Georgia have tailed off, Carbin is focused on others and Mississippi State could be the team to watch. The high three-star edge rusher from Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove was in Starkville over the weekend and loves coach Jeff Lebby and the attention he's getting from him. He believes the Bulldogs are 'really going to flip this thing around.' Advertisement Georgia Tech, Baylor, Virginia Tech and Louisville are the others to watch but Mississippi State is out front. The four-star receiver from Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County remains committed to Auburn but Georgia is pushing hard and he had a great visit to Athens over the weekend. The 'detailed way' the coaching staff broke down the development of their receivers and who they produced was a big bonus. The message from position coach James Coley was clear: 'He wants me in that WR room no matter how or when we make it happen.' SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AUBURN FANS AT A battle between North Carolina and Florida State is raging for the big four-star receiver from Jackson, Ala. Advertisement The Seminoles have been there for a long time but Chapman felt 'like I was at home' during his weekend visit to Chapel Hill and the coaching staff told him he'd see the field as a freshman. A two-team race has emerged. Getting Cotton out of the SEC might be tough with Mississippi State, LSU and Kentucky leading the way for the big four-star receiver from Grenada, Miss., but NC State has legitimately entered the picture here. How the coaching staff made him feel at home in Raleigh was a big deal and they 'turned the tables in a good way' as NC State has now definitely moved into the conversation for him. Indiana, Michigan and Ole Miss have been the mainstays for the 2027 four-star quarterback and the Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy standout could be looking at an early commitment. However, Oregon now will be under serious consideration. Advertisement The Wolverines could have a tough lead to overcome but after spending time with Oregon OC Will Stein over the weekend, landing an offer and seeing everything the Ducks have in Eugene, they could be under much more serious consideration now. A long list remains for the high four-star cornerback from Fort Mill (S.C.) Catawba Ridge with Duke, South Carolina, Texas, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Florida and Alabama. Tennessee will be one to watch as he loves the relationships in Knoxville since they offered during his freshman year. A new offer from Clemson is also one to watch as he wants to visit soon after getting the new offer. Just a few weeks ago, it looked like Ole Miss was by far the team to beat for Duckworth and the Rebels could still win out here but his recruitment has gotten murkier. Advertisement South Carolina is making another major play for the Jackson, Ala., standout who had been committed to the Gamecocks. Auburn has seriously entered the picture, as coach Hugh Freeze had him on campus over the weekend and Duckworth loved it. He also feels having Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight in the same QB room is a bonus, not a hindrance, to his development. Alabama remains the top program on Edwards' list and second is Oregon. If the Ducks get even more involved in his recruitment things could get interesting with the five-star safety from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances. Auburn made a significant move for Edwards during his visit over the weekend and he has a connection with a bunch of people in the building, but it would be a surprise if the Tigers overtook Alabama right now. Big visits remain to Notre Dame, Georgia and Penn State before Fogle makes his decision but a weekend trip to LSU has the high three-star tight end from Lexington, Ohio, thinking a whole lot. Advertisement He loves how the coaches and staff are locked in. He feels like a major priority in Baton Rouge and the attention to detail in everything LSU does impressed his family. The 2027 four-star cornerback from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy loved his time at Texas and landed an offer from the Longhorns but he needs to keep building his relationship with the staff if the Longhorns are going to join his lengthy list of favorites. Georgia, Washington, Tennessee, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon and Texas A&M are among the leaders. Ohio State might be too tough to overcome as the Buckeyes have had the lead in his recruitment but LSU definitely has Geralds thinking a lot after his weekend visit to Baton Rouge. Advertisement The four-star defensive tackle, who's playing at Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill, lived there for a good portion of his life. He's familiar with the program and its history so the temptation to return to Baton Rouge and help deliver another national championship is more than tempting. South Carolina and Alabama have emerged as the two early favorites but Georgia, Tennessee and a host of others will be involved. USC is now in the mix for the Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson standout as he had the best private workout with those coaches than anywhere else. The Trojans are a 'top of the top contender' for him and only time will determine if USC can keep up that momentum over many SEC standouts. Alabama is the front-runner for the former USC four-star linebacker commit and the Crimson Tide could be really tough to beat since he's a legacy there. Ohio State really made a major impression over the weekend though. Advertisement Being coached by 'one of the best linebackers to ever wear the scarlet and gray' in James Laurinitis and being under new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and his NFL experience has given him 'a lot to think about.' Others will be involved on the fringe but the 2027 four-star defensive lineman from Inglewood, Calif., has USC and Oregon as his two front-runners. Harmon lives so close to the USC campus that he can walk there. His weekend trip to Eugene could not have gone better as he loves the intensity there. The Trojans and Ducks look as if they will battle it out until decision day. Cal is involved and Harris spent a few days at Texas A&M this week but the word is that Arizona is the No. 1 team on his list following his weekend visit. Advertisement The Wildcats have made a major impression on the new Chandler (Ariz.) Compass Prep four-star defensive tackle and now that he's playing in Arizona, the Wildcats could only solidify their lead. Georgia continues to surge ahead in Helton's recruitment and after another great visit there this weekend where he loved the 'championship mindset' in everything they do, the Bulldogs are clearly a main contender in his recruitment. Alabama is also up there (he was once committed to the Crimson Tide) and now Georgia Tech is also making a serious play for the four-star interior OL from Carrollton, Ga. The 2027 four-star linebacker from Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit admits that it's still early in his recruitment but a visit to Tennessee this weekend definitely made an impression. The pitch was that if he wants to excel in the SEC then Knoxville is the place to be. Advertisement Miami is another one of his top contenders. LSU, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Alabama and USC are also high. A lot is happening in Jackson's recruitment following his decommitment from Florida as the Gators are working to get him back. Miami is trying to keep him in-state, Oregon wowed him on his visit and Nebraska is considered a dark horse. Enter LSU as the Orlando (Fla.) First Academy four-star corner loved the energy around the program and the history at defensive back. The word is LSU is 'one of the top contenders' for him. The four-star defensive back from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin remains committed to Michigan and the thinking has been if a flip comes it would be to Florida since the Gators have made him a priority and he could reunite with former five-star teammate Hylton Stubbs among others. Advertisement But Miami made a big impression over the weekend as he spent a ton of time with coach Mario Cristobal and loves the track record of position coaches Zac Etheridge and Will Harris. The Hurricanes aren't going anywhere in this recruitment. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT Florida and Miami, among others, are battling it out for the four-star from Brunswick, Ga., but it would be a surprise if the Gators didn't lead in this recruitment right now. Kent loved 'everything' about his recent trip to Gainesville even though he's been there multiple times and he remains a top priority for that coaching staff. A couple days after visiting TCU and having a great trip with the Horned Frogs, King announced he would commit on July 4. The four-star cornerback from Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial loves how invested everyone is at TCU and coach Sonny Dykes was pouring it on King this weekend, which really left an impression. Advertisement Arkansas and Houston are the others to watch ahead of his decision. It could be a 'tight-knit race' for the four-star linebacker out of Marietta (Ga.) Kell but Tennessee has been the front-runner for some time in his recruitment. Rouse was at Alabama over the weekend and he loved seeing the process that the incoming freshmen have to go through, but the Vols still seem like they have a considerable lead. Did Ohio State just make a significant move in Sutter's recruitment? Alabama has been considered the front-runner and could still be tough to beat but the four-star tight end from Dunlap, Ill., absolutely loved spending time with position coach Keenan Bailey and seeing how he develops tight ends and puts them in the NFL. Advertisement After his visit to Columbus, the word is Ohio State is definitely one of his top teams. Michigan, Miami and Vanderbilt are among the other favorites for Stewart but it seems like things have drastically changed after his Clemson visit. 'From the second' he stepped on campus, the College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star could feel how the place was different and the messages he got from coach Dabo Swinney and others throughout the weekend made a serious impact on him. The Tigers could be moving up really fast. As soon as White got to Auburn over the weekend, he had a one-on-one visit with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and that left a big impression on the four-star linebacker from Jackson (Miss.) Jackson Academy. Advertisement After this trip, Auburn is clearly one of the top programs, if not the team to beat. Other trips will happen and Florida State, Tennessee, Mississippi State, North Carolina and others are involved. Auburn, Ole Miss, Miami and Florida are battling among the top programs for Wilson but Alabama has been the team to beat and remains so after another great visit to Tuscaloosa. What stood out most to the four-star defensive end from Picayune, Miss., was how the coaching staff treated his whole family and didn't try to sell him on 'NIL or flashy things.' All those other favorites will get trips but the Crimson Tide are in front.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store