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Ben DiNucci

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Ben DiNucci
refer to caption
DiNucci with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020
No. 15 – New Orleans Saints
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1996-11-24) November 24, 1996 (age 28)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:222 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania)
College:Pittsburgh (2015–2017)
James Madison (2018–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 7 / pick: 231
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
  • XFL passing yards leader (2023)
  • CAA Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
  • First-team All-CAA (2019)
  • Third-team All-CAA (2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
TD–INT:0–0
Passing yards:219
Completion percentage:53.5
Passer rating:67.9
Rushing yards:22
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Benjamin Anthony DiNucci (born November 24, 1996), is an American professional football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at James Madison and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He played for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL in 2023, leading them to the playoffs.

Early life

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DiNucci attended Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, where he played high school football.[1] As a sophomore, he became a starter at quarterback.

As a senior, he threw for a WPIAL-record 4,269 yards becoming the first player in Pennsylvania history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season with 46 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He led his team to a 15–1[2] record, and a state AAAA championship game appearance. He received 2014–2015 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Pennsylvania, second-team USA TODAY All-American, Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class AAAA Player of the Year, Pennsylvania Football News Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year honors.

DiNucci finished his high school career with 548 of 809 completions for 7,619 yards, and 72 touchdowns.[3]

College career

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Although he originally intended to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania, DiNucci decommitted and accepted a football scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh, after Pat Narduzzi was hired as the new head coach.[4]

As a redshirt freshman, he was a backup quarterback behind Nathan Peterman. His first game experience came in the final offensive series against Duke University. In the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, he relieved an injured Peterman late in the third quarter, posting three of nine completions for 16 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and two carries for 18 yards in a 31–24 loss against Northwestern University.

As a sophomore, he was named the starting quarterback before the seventh game against North Carolina State University, after senior Max Browne suffered a season-ending right shoulder injury.[5] He was platooned during the year and eventually lost the starting position to true freshman Kenny Pickett, for the season finale 24–14 victory against the previously undefeated No. 2 University of Miami. He finished with 88 of 158 completions for 1,091 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. In December, he announced his decision to transfer to James Madison University.[6]

As a junior at James Madison, he started all 13 games at quarterback, posting 211 of 309 completions for 2,275 yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 433 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns (leading the team). He received third-team All-CAA honors. He had a career-high 316 passing yards against Elon University. He passed for a career-best four touchdowns against the University of Rhode Island. He rushed for career highs of 104 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns at Towson University.

As a senior, he started all 16 games at quarterback, passing for 3,441 yards, 29 passing touchdowns, completed nearly 71% of his throws, had 122 carries for 569 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He earned All-CAA, CAA Offensive Player of the Year and AFCA first-team All-American honors. He led the Dukes to the FCS Championship Game, where the team lost to North Dakota State University.[7] In the title game, DiNucci completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.[8]

He finished his career at James Madison ranked third in completions (479), fourth in passing touchdowns (45) and passing yards (5,716) and seventh in total offense (6,718).

College statistics

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Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
Pittsburgh Panthers
2015 0 0 Redshirted
2016 2 0 3 9 33.3 16 1.8 1 2 40.5 2 18 9.0 0
2017 10 6 88 158 55.7 1,091 6.9 5 5 117.8 55 126 2.3 1
James Madison Dukes
2018 13 13 211 309 68.3 2,275 7.4 16 12 139.4 107 433 4.0 9
2019 16 16 268 378 70.9 3,441 9.1 29 6 169.5 122 569 4.7 7
Career 40 35 570 854 66.7 6,823 7.9 51 25 1477.7 286 1,146 4.0 17

Professional career

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Dallas Cowboys

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DiNucci throwing in 2020
DiNucci in 2020

DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (231st overall) of the 2020 NFL draft, after it became apparent that he was considering signing with either the Cleveland Browns or the Chicago Bears if he were to become an undrafted free agent.[9][8] On October 19, 2020, DiNucci made his NFL debut in relief of Andy Dalton against the Arizona Cardinals.[10] On October 25, 2020, against the Washington Football Team, DiNucci came into the game after Dalton left the game with a concussion in the third quarter. DiNucci threw his first completed pass, for 32 yards, to Amari Cooper. He completed 2 out of 3 attempts for 39 yards during the 3–25 loss, while taking three sacks in 12 snaps.[11]

On October 31, 2020, the Cowboys announced that DiNucci would make his first career start on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles due to Dalton being in concussion protocol.[12][13] DiNucci completed 21-of-40 passes for 180 yards, lost two fumbles and was sacked 4 times, as the Cowboys lost 23–9 and failed to score a touchdown in back-to-back games, just for the fourth time in franchise history, even though the Cowboys' defense had caused four Eagles' turnovers during the contest.[14][15] Dinucci was passed on the depth chart by Garrett Gilbert for the backup job for the rest of the season.[16]

On August 31, 2021, DiNucci was waived by the Cowboys and added to the practice squad the next day.[17][18] On September 1, 2021, Will Grier was claimed off waivers by the Cowboys to be the third-string quarterback.[19]

DiNucci signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 18, 2022. On August 30, 2022, DiNucci was waived by the Cowboys.[20]

Seattle Sea Dragons

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DiNucci was allocated in the opening phase of the 2023 XFL Draft. Outside of A. J. McCarron, DiNucci was the only quarterback in the draft pool to have had NFL regular season experience.[21] On November 15, 2022, DiNucci was selected by the XFL's Seattle Sea Dragons. He started 10 games and guided the team to a playoff berth with a 7–3 record. He led the league in passing yards (2,671), attempts (374), completions (272), and interceptions (13), while ranking second in passing touchdowns (20). He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.[22]

Denver Broncos

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On May 16, 2023, DiNucci signed with the Denver Broncos, after participating on a tryout basis at the team's rookie minicamp.[23] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[24][25] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.[26] On May 8, 2024, DiNucci was waived by the Broncos.[27]

Buffalo Bills

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On August 12, 2024, DiNucci signed with the Buffalo Bills after Shane Buechele suffered a neck injury.[28] On August 27, the Bills released DiNucci.[29]

New Orleans Saints

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On December 10, 2024, DiNucci was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad following an injury to quarterback Derek Carr.

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2020 DAL 3 1 0–1 23 43 53.4 219 5.0 32 0 0 67.8 6 22 3.6 0 0 7 73 4 2
Career 3 1 0–1 23 43 53.4 219 5.0 32 0 0 67.8 6 22 3.6 0 0 7 73 4 2

XFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2023 SEA 10 10 7–3 242 374 64.7 2,671 7.1 20 13 89.1 53 305 5.4 3
Career 10 10 7–3 242 374 64.7 2,671 7.1 20 13 89.1 53 305 5.4 3

Postseason

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2023 SEA 1 1 0-1 31 48 64.5 295 6.1 3 0 102.3 3 16 5.3 0
Career 1 1 0-1 31 48 64.5 295 6.1 3 0 102.3 3 16 5.3 0

References

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  1. ^ "Ben DiNucci, Pine-Richland, Pro-Style Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pitt Football Lands Local Quarterback Recruit". CBS Pittsburgh. January 26, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "Ben DiNucci's High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Tepper, Jeremy (March 2, 2015). "DiNucci passes over Penn for Panthers". The Pitt News. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Zuk, Abbot (October 10, 2017). "'DiNucci is the guy': Narduzzi announces quarterback changes". The Pitt News. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Mondell, Jordan (December 14, 2017). "DiNucci announces transfer from Pitt". The Pitt News. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Amaranthus, Bri (April 25, 2020). "Cowboys Select Quarterback Ben DiNucci in First Round of NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Barrerra, Zeke (April 25, 2020). "2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys take 7th-round flyer on little known, championship game QB". Cowboys Wire. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  9. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  10. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – October 19th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Walker, Patrik (October 25, 2020). "Cowboys vs. Washington score, takeaways: Andy Dalton knocked out of game as Washington rolls". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "Dalton Ruled Out vs. Philly; 2 Veterans Activated". www.dallascowboys.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  13. ^ Rapoport, Ian. "New Cowboys starter Ben DiNucci has 'got an edge'". NFL.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  14. ^ Lopez, Selby (November 1, 2020). "National reaction to Cowboys-Eagles: Ben DiNucci was bad, but Carson Wentz may have been worse". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  15. ^ "Cowboys' ineptitude continues in loss to Eagles". ESPN. November 1, 2020.
  16. ^ "Who will back up quarterback Dak Prescott for the Dallas Cowboys?". ESPN. March 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Phillips, Rob (August 31, 2021). "Cowboys Make 28 Moves; Roster Cut Down To 53". DallasCowboys.com.
  18. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 1, 2021). "QB Ben DiNucci Among Practice Squad Additions". DallasCowboys.com.
  19. ^ Phillips, Rob (September 1, 2021). "Cowboys Claim QB Will Grier Off Waivers". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  20. ^ Eatman, Nick (August 30, 2022). "Cowboys Make 28 Moves To Reach Roster Limit". DallasCowboys.com.
  21. ^ "What's next for the XFL 2023? QBs to watch in the draft pool". ESPN.com. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  22. ^ "XFL Transactions". Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Heath, Jon (May 14, 2023). "Broncos signing XFL quarterback Ben DiNucci". Broncos Wire.
  24. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 29, 2023). "Broncos make series of transactions to reduce active roster to league-mandated limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  25. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 30, 2023). "Broncos sign 14 players to practice squad". DenverBroncos.com.
  26. ^ DiLalla, Aric (January 8, 2024). "Broncos sign 12 players to future contracts". DenverBroncos.com.
  27. ^ "Broncos waive QB Ben DiNucci". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  28. ^ Alper, Josh. "Bills sign Ben DiNucci". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  29. ^ "Bills to release Ben DiNucci". NBC Sports. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
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