Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca confirms he'll return for 2025 season

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•about 8 hours•

RyanSnyderOn3

dominic-deluca-penn-state-football-5-on3
Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State will bring back another important defensive player for its 2025 season, as linebacker Dominic DeLuca confirmed on his Instagram page Wednesday afternoon that he’ll return for his senior season. A former walk-on from Wyoming Area High School in West Pittston, Pa., DeLuca used his redshirt in 2021 and has been a regular contributor ever since, playing in all but one game since the 2022 season.

That game was against Illinois earlier this season, but DeLuca returned against UCLA the following week and put together an excellent second half of the season. He finished 2024 with 40 tackles, four tackles for loss, four pass deflections and three interceptions.

The highlight of his career came in Penn State’s first-round matchup against SMU in the College Football Playoffs last month. Following a slow start on offense, DeLuca shifted the momentum when he intercepted quarterback Kevin Jennings and returned it for a touchdown. Then, with SMU knocking on the door for a score midway through the second quarter, DeLuca intercepted Jennings again, crushing any hope that the Mustangs would be able to rally.

Hot Board: Who are the candidates to know for Penn State at defensive coordinator?

“Dom is just a baller,” head coach James Franklin said about DeLuca following the SMU game. “You’re talking about a guy who was the Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Won a state championship on a torn ACL. Grayshirted to be able to come here. Came as a walk on, earned a scholarship….I think he’s a tremendous example for all of our players on the team. He’s got a smile on his face. He’s appreciative. He works his tail off.”

Penn State linebacker coach Dan Connor has also praised DeLuca on multiple occasions.

“Dom DeLuca is the smartest player I think I’ve ever been around,” Connor said back in November. “I told him a couple weeks ago, once he’s done playing, I’m hiring him. Wherever I’m at, hopefully here, I’m hiring him. You just don’t come across kids that have that type of football intelligence. Then, on top of it, he’s incredibly instinctual.”

On Tuesday, linebacker Kobe King confirmed that he won’t return next season and will instead enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Tyler Elsdon is also out of eligibility, which makes DeLuca and Tony Rojas the only two returning linebackers who played more than 100 snaps this past season. However, Keon Wylie will return after a season-ending injury and will be expected to play significant snaps. Freshmen Ta’Mere Robinson and Anthony Speca should also see their snaps increase.

Updated NFL Draft decisions as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday

Coming back to Penn State despite being eligible for NFL Draft

C Nick Dawkins
S Zakee Wheatley
DL Smith Vilbert
QB Drew Allar
RB Nicholas Singleton
RB Kaytron Allen
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton
DT Zane Durant
OL JB Nelson
LB Dom DeLuca
P Riley Thompson
K Sander Sahaydak

Leaving for the NFL Draft

CB Jalen Kimber
S KJ Winston
DE Abdul Carter
LB Kobe King

No announcement yet about their future

C/G Vega Ioane
OT Drew Shelton
DE Zuriah Fisher
DT Alonzo Ford
TE Khalil Dinkins
WR Liam Clifford
OT Nolan Rucci

You may also like