Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535618
1 8 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M D an Connor's appreciation for Dominic DeLuca runs deep. With Connor getting set for his sec- ond season as Penn State's line- backers coach, the challenges on tap have practically dictated as much. Last year's top two middle lineback- ers, Kobe King and Tyler Elsdon, are now gone, the former having embarked on an NFL career and the latter exhausting his eligibility. Tony Rojas is returning, and there are high hopes for his junior season. But he played through an injury last fall and underwent surgery this past winter, forcing him to miss spring practice. Also gone this spring was rising tal- ent Ta'Mere Robinson, and unlike with Rojas, this loss wasn't temporary. Rob- inson entered the transfer portal in April, eventually choosing to continue his career at USC. And, if the personnel setbacks weren't enough to raise concerns, the Nittany Lion linebackers have also had to absorb the complex system of new defen- sive coordinator Jim Knowles. In a moment of change and uncertainty for the position group, DeLuca has been the constant. He's been a model of con- sistency for the Nittany Lions throughout his career, and his impact has been even more meaningful given that he's a former walk-on, the kind of player who sets an example for younger teammates. "He's the old man in the room. It's a young room," Connor said. "Having his experience, and not only his experience, but his path to where he's gotten [has been important]. "When I first got here, he was a safety. He converted to a linebacker. He was a walk-on and was trying to figure his way through. And then he turns himself into a guy who is making pick sixes in the playoff. It's the most unbelievable story you've ever heard." 'I'm The Guy, I Guess' DeLuca himself can't help but marvel at the journey he's taken since arriving at Penn State in 2021 out of Northeast- ern Pennsylvania football powerhouse Wyoming Area High. He's entering his fifth and final season in the program, and what began as an unexpected op- portunity has evolved into something much more substantial. That growth and stature have come with time, a reality that DeLuca admits has taken him by surprise this year. With older teammates having moved on, he has become the group's standard bearer and voice of influence. "It's weird. It's really weird. Com- ing in as one of the young guys, you never think that day is going to come, and then it just pops up on you," De- Luca said. "That hit me. Getting into the linebacker room this spring, it's like, 'Wow. I'm the guy, I guess.' I've got to set the standard. I've got to be the one that holds everyone accountable. And I've got to be able to have those conver- PROOF PROOF OF OF CONCEPT CONCEPT Dominic DeLuca personifies the competitive spark that PSU wants to see from its linebackers NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Despite suffering an injury that hindered him early in the Big Ten season, DeLuca finished with 40 tackles to rank ninth on the defense last year, and his 3 interceptions tied for the team lead. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS