Mike DiLiello Bio
Mike DiLiello (born April 13, 2000) is an American professional football quarterback who currently plays for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). A native of Pembroke Pines, Florida, DiLiello built his resume across three college programs before turning professional in 2024. He is recognized for his dual-threat abilities and his record-setting production at Austin Peay.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at around 200 pounds, DiLiello has emerged as a versatile signal-caller capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs. His career has taken him from the high school fields of South Florida to championship competition in spring professional football.
Early Life and Background
Mike DiLiello was born on April 13, 2000, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He grew up in the South Florida area and attended Cooper City High School in nearby Cooper City, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete. As a senior, DiLiello was named second-team all-county, an honor that reflected his development as a quarterback prospect.
Beyond football, DiLiello lettered in three sports during his high school years, demonstrating the kind of athletic versatility that would later become a hallmark of his playing style. The combination of arm talent and overall athleticism he showed at Cooper City helped attract the attention of college programs, ultimately leading him to begin his collegiate career at Florida Tech.
Path to Professional Football
DiLiello began his collegiate journey at Florida Tech, where he redshirted during the 2018 season before appearing in all 11 games in 2019. That season, he completed 141 of 232 passes for 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week honors twice along with an Offensive Player of the Week award.
In 2020, DiLiello transferred to Middle Tennessee, making his NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision debut against Troy. Over two seasons with the Blue Raiders, he appeared in 12 games in 2021 as a backup and dual-threat quarterback, leading the team with six rushing touchdowns on 49 attempts. He later entered the transfer portal in February 2022 and committed to Austin Peay of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
At Austin Peay, DiLiello became one of the most productive passers in program history. In 2022, he completed 200 of 328 passes for 2,447 yards and 21 touchdowns, and in 2023, he completed 242 of 362 passes for 3,164 yards and 28 touchdowns. He finished his time with the Governors as the school leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, efficiency, passing yards per game, total touchdowns responsible for, and total offense per game, and he became the only quarterback in school history to throw for back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.
Mike DiLiello Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
DiLiello’s development as a college quarterback began at Florida Tech, where his 2019 performance established him as a young player with significant upside. His 1,773 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in his first active season earned him multiple weekly conference honors and provided a foundation for the next step in his career.
His move to Middle Tennessee introduced him to the speed and complexity of FBS competition. While serving primarily as a backup in 2021, DiLiello made the most of his opportunities as a rusher, scoring six touchdowns on the ground and showing the dual-threat skill set that would later define his professional profile.
Austin Peay Breakthrough (2022–2023)
DiLiello’s arrival at Austin Peay marked the beginning of his most productive stretch. During the 2022 season, he threw for 2,447 yards and 21 touchdowns, scoring in every game except the finale against Alabama. His consistency and big-play ability made him a central figure in the Governors’ offense.
The 2023 season elevated DiLiello’s profile even further. He threw for 3,164 yards and 28 touchdowns, including a 260-yard performance against FBS opponent Tennessee and a career-high 441 yards with five touchdowns against East Tennessee State. Following the season, he was named UAC Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-UAC, and FCS third-team All-American.
DC Defenders Era (2024–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, DiLiello received an invitation to the Tennessee Titans rookie minicamp. On May 15, 2024, he signed with the DC Defenders of the UFL, beginning his professional career in spring football. He re-signed with the Defenders on October 16, 2024, securing his place on the 2025 roster, and was later selected by the Defenders in the 2026 UFL draft on January 12, 2026.
DiLiello’s tenure with the Defenders has been marked by team success, as the program captured the UFL championship in 2025. On April 19, 2026, he was traded to the Louisville Kings in exchange for quarterback Jason Bean, opening a new chapter in his professional journey. He is recognized as a 2-time UFL champion in 2025 and 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
DiLiello’s career is highlighted by his record-setting senior seasons at Austin Peay and his rapid rise to a championship-winning professional quarterback. His 2023 campaign, in which he set numerous program records and earned multiple postseason honors, stands as a defining milestone. His 2025 UFL championship with the DC Defenders marked his first professional title.
Mike DiLiello Career Wins
Mike DiLiello’s professional résumé includes a UFL championship won in 2025 with the DC Defenders. His postseason success and individual awards reflect a quarterback whose production has translated from the collegiate level to the professional ranks.
UFL Highlights
DiLiello signed with the DC Defenders in May 2024 and quickly became part of a winning program. He re-signed for the 2025 season and was a contributor to the Defenders’ 2025 UFL championship run, a milestone that established him as a proven winner at the professional level.
Other Awards and Performances
At the college level, DiLiello earned UAC Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-UAC honors in 2023. He was also a two-time FCS third-team All-American. He was twice named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week and earned one Offensive Player of the Week award during his time at Florida Tech.
Mike DiLiello Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mike DiLiello was raised in the Pembroke Pines area of South Florida, where he attended Cooper City High School and developed his athletic foundation. Information about his immediate family has not been publicly detailed in available sources.
DiLiello’s personal life, including marital status and family details, has remained largely outside the public spotlight, with most of his public profile centered on his football career and athletic achievements.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough professional year for Mike DiLiello with the DC Defenders. Building on his 2024 signing, he secured his future with the team through a mid-October 2024 re-signing and entered the season as part of a competitive UFL quarterback room.
DiLiello’s 2025 campaign was defined by championship-level team success, as the DC Defenders captured the UFL title. His ability to perform within the team’s offensive system and contribute to a title-winning effort underscored the growth he had shown since his record-setting days at Austin Peay.
Entering 2026, DiLiello was selected by the Defenders in the UFL draft before being traded to the Louisville Kings in April, a move that reflected the league’s belief in his continued development. With a championship already on his résumé, his 2025 performance laid the groundwork for the next phase of his professional career.