Ben DiNucci

BIOGRAPHY

Ben DiNucci was born November 24, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a Quarterback in the NFL. Although he originally intended to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania, DiNucci decomitted and accepted a football scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh, after Pat Narduzzi was hired as the new head coach. 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. As a junior, 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. In the title game, DiNucci completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. 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).

DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick in 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. On October 19, 2020, DiNucci made his NFL debut in relief of Andy Dalton against the Arizona Cardinals. On October 25, 2020, against the Washington Football Team, DiNucci came into the game after Dalton left the game with a concussion. DiNucci threw his first completed pass, for 32 yards, to Amari Cooper. The Cowboys lost 25–3. On October 31, 2020, the Cowboys announced that DiNucci will make his first career start on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles due to Dalton being in concussion protocol. In the game, DiNucci finished 21-of-40 for 180 yards and two fumbles, as the Cowboys lost 23-9.

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