Penn State has had a few walk-ons see success throughout their careers, and linebacker Dom DeLuca was the latest example.
DeLuca joined the Nittany Lions in 2021, carving out a role for himself on special teams before becoming a crucial piece of Penn State’s linebacker room. He started 14 games across the last two seasons and played a big role in the program’s first College Football Playoff win.
While DeLuca is likely going undrafted, he had the chance to prove himself to NFL scouts at Penn State Pro Day on March 18. He said there were few workouts he’d like to “have back,” as he was focused on trying to set himself up to live out a childhood dream.
“I’m really just trying to show them I can play,” DeLuca said at pro day. “I have the ability to play a lot of special teams and be reliable on defense when needed, just doing anything I could to make a team really and just be trying to be that guy.”
Metrics
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 228 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds
Vertical: 32.5 inches
Broad: 9-foot-8
Bench press: 11 reps
Projections
Projected round drafted: Undrafted
Player comparison: Curtis Bolton
Linebacker Dominic DeLuca (0) is tackled after making an interception during the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and Southern Methodist on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.
Sienna Pinney
Scouting report
A three-year captain, DeLuca established himself as one of the main leaders of the locker room during his time at Penn State. He was put on scholarship after the Nittany Lions’ 2023 Rose Bowl win, much to the joy of his teammates, showcasing his importance to their locker room.
DeLuca mostly played and made a name for himself on special teams during his first few years at Penn State, but he carved out a bigger role in 2024 after Abdul Carter’s move from linebacker to defensive end.
The Pennsylvania native finished his Nittany Lion career with 164 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns, one of which was his iconic pick six in Penn State’s playoff win over SMU.
DeLuca was one of two starting linebackers for most of the 2025 season after Tony Rojas’ season-ending injury. But he often struggled in the WILL linebacker role, failing consistently to plug his gap and stop the run.
He also struggled in coverage, allowing 17 completions on 22 pass attempts this season, per PFF.
DeLuca had some bad and some good moments in Happy Valley, but he was still an inspiration for many as a former walk-on who became a starting linebacker and made history as just the third three-time captain.
Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles
DeLuca said at Penn State Pro Day that he had a local visit lined up with the Philadelphia Eagles, a destination that would actually make sense for DeLuca as an undrafted free agent.
The Eagles lost a big piece of their linebacker room in Nakobe Dean, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, leaving Philadelphia with a need for more linebacker depth.
DeLuca likely won’t be one of the top guys in the rotation if he ends up with the Eagles, but he could learn from Zack Baun and linebackers coach Bobby King, making it a desirable destination for the Pennsylvania native.
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