Linebacker Dom DeLuca is a ‘mini-Tyler Warren’ for the Penn State defense

After redshirt junior linebacker Dom DeLuca picked off two passes in Penn State’s win 38-10 over Southern Methodist, coach James Franklin expressed frustration that there won’t be any more stories like DeLuca’s.

DeLuca is a former walk-on that earned his way on scholarship last year with his stellar special teams play, eventually leading him to a starting linebacker role, two-time captaincy and a standout performance on Dec. 21 in the first-round of the College Football Playoff.

With the football scholarship limit increasing to 105 players next year, walk-ons will no longer be a thing. DeLuca and coaches alike recognize the importance of walk-ons.

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After collecting 29 tackles, two interceptions , and two forced fumbles in 2023, DeLuca was a Burlsworth Trophy nominee, the award for the most outstanding walk-on.

He was a high school quarterback who led Wyoming Area High School to a state title with a torn ACL. He’s been through a lot in his journey, and he explained what college football will be missing without walk-ons.

“Walk-ons are the backbone of the country of college football,” DeLuca said. “You wouldn’t be able to have practice squads or even get some looks from even for each week, because it’s so hard to have that many guys on the team at once.”

Since 2022, DeLuca’s role has grown beyond special teams.

As one of Penn State’s top backers, he’s up to three picks — all of which came in big moments — and 33 tackles. His role is unique in defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s 4-2-5 defense, as he fills multiple spots and make plays in coverage with experience as SAM linebacker.

Senior MIKE backer Kobe King arrived at Penn State with DeLuca in 2021 and says the pair are very like-minded. He also laid out a comparison for DeLuca.

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“He’s like a mini version of Tyler Warren on the defense, because you can put him in any spot. He can do anything, and he can get the job done efficiently,” King said.

His compliments don’t stop there.

Allen, who also coaches linebackers, has spent less time with DeLuca, but he’s also grown a liking to the West Pittston native.

“For me, it’s just so much respect, I kind of feel like, for me, I’m living my dream as well as the college football coach in the Big Ten,” Allen said. “He had to earn it our way as well. He had to come here to walk-on and earn it, and just to see him make the kind of plays he made this last week, the national stage in front of the whole world was just so awesome. But I’m not surprised.”

DeLuca’s contributions show the player he’s become. A special teams ace, traditional linebacker and top-tier leader, DeLuca takes pride in doing it all.

“My parents, they always told me you gotta be a team player, and you gotta do what you have to do, what’s best for the team,” DeLuca said. “If that’s being the water boy, I’ll be the best water boy in the country.”