Former Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Dominic DeLuca was released from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad on Monday, ending the West Pittston product’s first NFL stop about two weeks after he had been retained as a developmental piece.
The move was announced via the NFL transaction log.
DeLuca had joined the practice squad Aug. 31 after being waived in final cuts the day before. The undrafted rookie appeared in all three preseason games for the Ravens and started each one, finishing with 15 tackles.
For Nittany Lions fans, the release is another reminder of how far the former walk-on climbed — and how thin the NFL margin remains even after that climb.
DeLuca arrived in Happy Valley in 2021 as a preferred walk-on from Wyoming Area High School, where he had led the Warriors to a PIAA title as a senior while playing through a torn ACL.
He redshirted as a freshman, earned a scholarship, and became one of the program’s defining leadership stories. Teammates elected him a captain three straight seasons, making him only the third Penn State player to wear the “C” that long.
He also wore the honorary No. 0 as the team’s top special-teams contributor.
Over five seasons (2021–25), DeLuca played in nearly every game and finished with 164 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns.
His signature moment came in the 2024 College Football Playoff first-round win over SMU: two interceptions, including a 23-yard pick-six that opened the scoring in a 38–10 victory at Beaver Stadium. He later started more regularly in 2025 after injuries thinned the linebacker room.
That résumé — grit, special-teams reliability, and locker-room stature — is what Baltimore bought when it signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft.
The Ravens have a well-known pipeline for undrafted linebackers, and DeLuca’s preseason production suggested he could stick as a core special-teamer and emergency defender.
Practice-squad spots turn over quickly, though. After an early-season elevation shuffle, Baltimore chose to bring Webb back and move on from DeLuca.
The 24-year-old is now a free agent and can sign with another club’s 53-man roster or practice squad.
For a player who once dreamed of wearing Penn State blue and then earned the right to lead that locker room, the next chapter will again be about proving he belongs.
Nittany Lions followers who watched him go from walk-on to three-time captain will be watching to see which team gives him that chance.
