Penn State football linebacker Dominic DeLuca has been placed on scholarship, as first reported by Blue White Illustrated’s Sean Fitz and later confirmed by a Penn State Athletics spokesperson.

DeLuca, who arrived at Penn State as a walk-on in January of 2021, appeared in all 13 games for Penn State this year and totaled 29 tackles, two for a loss, and a sack while serving as a rotational defensive player and an integral special teams piece.

The Pennsylvania native has earned praise from the coaching staff this season and is expected to take on a larger role in 2023. Special teams coordinator Stacy Collins said he “cannot say enough good things about Dom DeLuca” and that he’s been elite on the kickoff unit. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz called DeLuca an “unsung hero” that makes things happen.

Furthermore, with Jonathan Sutherland’s Penn State career now over, DeLuca’s name has been thrown around as the next potential No. 0. The player who wears No. 0 is a special teams player who “represents all of us and drives our culture. He is a tough, dependable, disciplined, physical leader who inspires teammates with his accountability and production,” according to the team.

It’s unclear when the next No. 0 will be announced, but we’ll get our next look at DeLuca at Penn State football’s Blue-White Game on April 15. If you remember correctly, DeLuca had two interceptions in last year’s Blue-White Game.