Penn State picks special teams ace Dominic DeLuca to wear No. 0 in 2023
Penn State has picked the player who will wear No. 0 in 2023. The Nittany Lions made former linebacker Jonathan Sutherland the first player in program history to sport the uniform in 2020 to recognize his work on and dedication to special teams. Now that he’s gone, the honor is being given to a new member of the roster.
Linebacker Dominic DeLuca will change his jersey number from No. 34 to No. 0 for the 2023 season. The West Pittston, Pa., redshirt sophomore blocked a punt last season and made 29 tackles between defense and special teams in 2022. He earned a scholarship at the end of the year. And, he is a captain in 2023.
Back at the program’s local media day on Aug. 6, second-year special teams coordinator Stacy Collins confirmed that the Lions would be keeping the No. 0 tradition alive. Time was needed, however, to make a decision on who would earn it.
“We’re looking at every rep on tape, every rep from camp,” Collins said. “It’s a new number zero that we’re going to get a chance to see. We’re excited for it. I’m excited to watch our kids compete every day.
“We have a SWAT player of the day, every day, that emulates what we’re looking for on that practice field. So as we get towards the end of camp, we’ll get a chance to evaluate that see amd what it is. But, I like to competition we have. I like what our guys are doing.”
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Who was up to wear No. 0 for Penn State?
SWAT stands for ‘Special Weapons and Tactics.’ It is a slogan Collins had at Boise State. Candidates to wear No. 0 based on being the SWAT player of the day during preseason camp included receiver Liam Clifford, cornerback Cam Miller, safety Jaylen Reed, receiver Harrison Wallace, punter Riley Thompson, safety Kevin Winston Jr., linebacker Dominic DeLuca, tight end Theo Johnson, receiver Malik McClain, and linebacker Tyler Elsdon. The only two Nittany Lions to win it twice during camp were DeLuca and McClain.
While this special teams question is answered, many must still be moving forward. The Lions have open battles at kicker (between Alex Felkins and Sander Sahaydak), punter (Riley Thomson and Alex Bacchetta), kickoff specialist (Gabe Nwosu and Sahaydak), and punt returner, where numerous players are battling. The lone set position is long snapper. That job belongs to Penn State redshirt sophomore Tyler Duzansky.
Penn State opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 against West Virginia. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET. NBC will televise the game.
