Ben DiNucci Bio
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci is an American former professional football quarterback who most recently played in the National Football League (NFL) and the XFL. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the James Madison Dukes before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also spent time with the Seattle Sea Dragons, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. He is currently a college football color commentator for CBS Sports.
Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 215 pounds, DiNucci built his career on a strong arm and dependable decision-making, traits that carried him from a decorated high school career in Pennsylvania through a notable college journey and into the professional ranks. Beyond playing, he has transitioned into broadcasting, lending his insight to college football coverage.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci was born on November 24, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Pittsburgh area and attended Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, where he developed into a standout quarterback. As a sophomore, he became a starter and quickly emerged as one of the most productive passers in the region.
During his senior season, DiNucci set a WPIAL record with 4,269 passing yards, becoming the first player in Pennsylvania history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a single season. He added 46 touchdowns against 9 interceptions and led his team to a 15–1 record and a state AAAA championship game appearance. That year, he earned Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year honors, was named a second-team USA TODAY All-American, and collected Pennsylvania Sports Writers and Pennsylvania Football News Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year awards.
DiNucci finished his high school career with 548 completions on 809 attempts for 7,619 yards and 72 touchdowns. He originally planned to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania before decommitting and accepting a football scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh after Pat Narduzzi was hired as head coach.
Path to American Football
DiNucci arrived at Pittsburgh as a redshirt freshman and served as a backup behind Nathan Peterman. His first game action came in a brief offensive series against Duke University, followed by relief duty in the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, where he completed three of nine passes for 16 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 31–24 loss to Northwestern. The following season, he was named the starter mid-year after senior Max Browne suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
He platooned during the 2017 campaign and eventually yielded the starting role to true freshman Kenny Pickett for the finale against Miami. DiNucci finished that season with 88 completions on 158 attempts for 1,091 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions. In December, he announced his decision to transfer to James Madison University, where he would become a centerpiece of the program.
Ben DiNucci Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
DiNucci’s developmental years at Pittsburgh laid the foundation for his professional profile. Working under head coach Pat Narduzzi, he absorbed a pro-style system and learned the discipline required to manage a college offense. His exposure to big-game moments, including a bowl appearance as a freshman, prepared him for the heavier responsibilities he would later shoulder.
After transferring to James Madison University, he quickly earned a starting role. In his junior season, he started all 13 games and posted 211 completions on 309 attempts for 2,275 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while adding 433 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He earned third-team All-CAA honors and recorded career highs, including 316 passing yards against Elon and four touchdown passes against Rhode Island.
James Madison Breakthrough (2018–2019)
DiNucci’s senior season marked his arrival as one of the top quarterbacks in the Colonial Athletic Association. He started all 16 games, throwing for 3,441 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing nearly 71 percent of his passes. He added 122 carries for 569 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, earning first-team All-CAA, CAA Offensive Player of the Year, and AFCA first-team All-American recognition.
Behind his play, the Dukes reached the FCS Championship Game, where they faced North Dakota State University. In the title game, DiNucci completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He closed his James Madison career ranked third in program history in completions (479), fourth in passing touchdowns (45) and passing yards (5,716), and seventh in total offense (6,718).
Dallas Cowboys Era (2020–2022)
DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round, 231st overall, of the 2020 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut on October 19, 2020, in relief of Andy Dalton against the Arizona Cardinals. Six days later, against the Washington Football Team, he entered after Dalton exited with a concussion and delivered his first completion, a 32-yard strike to Amari Cooper, finishing 2 of 3 for 39 yards.
On October 31, 2020, DiNucci made his first NFL start against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards while taking four sacks and losing two fumbles in a 23–9 defeat. He was later passed on the depth chart by Garrett Gilbert. DiNucci was waived on August 31, 2021, added to the practice squad the next day, signed a reserve/future contract in January 2022, and was waived again on August 30, 2022.
Seattle Sea Dragons Era (2023)
Allocated in the opening phase of the 2023 XFL draft, DiNucci was the only quarterback in the pool outside of A. J. McCarron with prior NFL regular-season experience. He was selected by the Seattle Sea Dragons on November 15, 2022, started 10 games, and guided the team to a 7–3 record and a playoff berth.
He led the league in passing yards (2,671), attempts (374), completions (272), and interceptions (13), while ranking second in passing touchdowns with 20. DiNucci was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.
Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints Tenure (2023–2025)
On May 16, 2023, DiNucci signed with the Denver Broncos after a rookie minicamp tryout. He was waived on August 29, 2023, returned on a practice squad deal, and signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, before being waived again on May 8, 2024. On August 12, 2024, he joined the Buffalo Bills following a neck injury to Shane Buechele, and was released on August 27, 2024.
DiNucci signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad on December 10, 2024, after an injury to quarterback Derek Carr. He inked a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025, and was released by the Saints on April 29, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025)
On August 15, 2025, DiNucci signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released during preliminary roster cuts on August 23, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
DiNucci authored several memorable moments, including his WPIAL-record senior season and his first NFL completion, a 32-yard strike to Amari Cooper against Washington. He also became the first quarterback to lead the Seattle Sea Dragons to the XFL playoffs and earned CAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
Ben DiNucci Career Wins
DiNucci’s professional ledger is defined more by his role as a reliable backup and starter than by headline win totals. In the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons, he posted a 7–3 record as a starter and guided the franchise to a playoff berth in 2023. His career NFL passing totals include 23 completions on 43 attempts for 219 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions and a 67.9 passer rating.
Seattle Sea Dragons Highlights
DiNucci’s standout professional stretch came with the Seattle Sea Dragons, where he led the league in passing yards (2,671), attempts (374), and completions (272). He ranked second in the XFL with 20 passing touchdowns while guiding the team to a 7–3 record and a playoff berth. His performance earned him recognition as the XFL passing yards leader for 2023.
Ben DiNucci Family
Personal Life
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci maintains an active presence on social media, where he engages with fans and shares updates on his broadcasting work. He resides in the United States and has focused his post-playing energy on college football commentary with CBS Sports.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar was a transitional chapter for Ben DiNucci. After signing with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in late 2024 and inking a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he was released on April 29, 2025. He then joined the Atlanta Falcons on August 15, 2025, before being released during preliminary roster cuts on August 23, 2025.
Following his release from the Falcons, DiNucci pivoted to broadcasting and made his CBS Sports debut as a college football color commentator at the Bucknell–Air Force game on August 30, 2025. In December 2025, he partnered with the NFL on CBS for a video in which he disguised himself for a flag football game, showcasing his on-camera personality.
