Penn State Linebacker Dominic DeLuca Declares for 2026 NFL Draft After Standout Career
Another key piece of Penn State’s defense is heading to the next level. Linebacker Dominic DeLuca, a three-year captain and one of the most respected voices in the Nittany Lions locker room, officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
DeLuca made the announcement via social media, thanking his family, coaches, teammates, and the Penn State community for their support throughout his journey. And what a journey it’s been.
From walk-on to team captain, DeLuca’s rise through the program is the kind of story that resonates far beyond State College. The West Pittston, Pennsylvania native joined the Nittany Lions in 2021 without a scholarship and ended up becoming a cornerstone of the defense and a fan favorite. In 2025, he served as the team’s lone captain-his third straight season in a leadership role-underscoring just how much trust and respect he earned within the program.
And it wasn’t just leadership that defined his time at Penn State. DeLuca was a consistent playmaker on the field.
Over his career, he racked up 164 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and eight passes defensed. He also snagged five interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns, and forced two fumbles.
His knack for creating turnovers made him a constant threat on the second level.
In 2024, he pulled down three interceptions-tied for sixth-most in the Big Ten. A year earlier, he forced two fumbles, ranking fifth in the conference. Those numbers don’t just reflect production; they speak to his instincts, football IQ, and ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
This past season, DeLuca appeared in all 13 games and tallied 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and three pass breakups. He remained a steady force in the middle of the defense, anchoring a unit that leaned on his experience and leadership.
DeLuca now joins a growing list of Penn State players declaring for the draft, including offensive linemen Nick Dawkins, Vega Ioane, and Drew Shelton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, safety Zakee Wheatley, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and fellow linebacker Dani Dennis-Sutton. It’s a testament to the program’s development pipeline and the level of talent that continues to come out of Happy Valley.
For DeLuca, the next chapter awaits. He’s already proven he can beat the odds-now he’ll look to do it again at the professional level. And for Penn State fans, his legacy is secure: a walk-on who became a captain, a leader who left it all on the field, and a player who embodied what it means to wear the blue and white.