Ben DiNucci Bio
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci, born on November 24, 1996, is an American former professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and James Madison Dukes before being selected by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, he also spent time with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, the Denver Broncos, the Buffalo Bills, the New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons. Following his departure from the Falcons, he transitioned into broadcasting and currently serves as a college football color commentator for CBS Sports.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci was born on November 24, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. He attended Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, where he played high school football and developed into one of the most productive passers in state history. As a sophomore, he became a starter at quarterback for the Rams and quickly established himself as a key piece of the team’s offense.
As a senior, DiNucci threw for a WPIAL-record 4,269 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 just nine interceptions and led his team to a 15–1 record and an appearance in the state AAAA championship game. For his performance, he earned the 2014–2015 Gatorade Player of the Year for Pennsylvania, second-team USA TODAY All-American honors, Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class AAAA Player of the Year, and Pennsylvania Football News Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year recognition. He finished his high school career with 548 completions on 809 attempts for 7,619 yards and 72 touchdowns.
Path to Professional Football
Although DiNucci originally intended to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania, he decommitted 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 served as a backup behind Nathan Peterman and saw his first game action in the final offensive series against Duke University. He then relieved an injured Peterman in the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl, posting three of nine completions for 16 yards and one touchdown in a 31–24 loss to Northwestern University.
As a sophomore, DiNucci was named the starting quarterback ahead of a game against North Carolina State University after senior Max Browne suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He was later platooned during the year and eventually lost the starting job to true freshman Kenny Pickett for the season finale against the previously undefeated University of Miami. In December, he announced his decision to transfer to James Madison University. As a junior with the Dukes, he started all 13 games and earned third-team All-CAA honors, and as a senior, he earned All-CAA, CAA Offensive Player of the Year, and AFCA first-team All-American recognition while leading James Madison to the FCS Championship Game against North Dakota State University.
Ben DiNucci Career
Dallas Cowboys Era (2020–2022)
DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round, 231st overall, of the 2020 NFL draft after it appeared he was considering signing with the Cleveland Browns or Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. On October 19, 2020, he made his NFL debut in relief of Andy Dalton against the Arizona Cardinals. One week later, against the Washington Football Team, he threw his first completed pass, a 32-yard strike to Amari Cooper, finishing with two completions on three attempts for 39 yards.
On October 31, 2020, the Cowboys announced that DiNucci would make his first career start against the Philadelphia Eagles while Dalton remained in concussion protocol. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards, lost two fumbles, and was sacked four times in a 23–9 loss, after which he was passed on the depth chart by Garrett Gilbert for the backup role. He was waived on August 31, 2021, added to the practice squad the next day, signed a reserve/future contract in January 2022, and was ultimately waived again on August 30, 2022.
Seattle Sea Dragons Era (2023)
On November 15, 2022, DiNucci was selected by the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in the opening phase of the league’s draft, making him one of only two quarterbacks in the draft pool with prior NFL regular-season experience. He went on to start 10 games and guide the Sea Dragons 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.
Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills Era (2023–2024)
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, re-signed to the practice squad, and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, before being waived again on May 8, 2024. Shortly after, on August 12, 2024, he signed with the Buffalo Bills following a neck injury to Shane Buechele, only to be released by the Bills on August 27, 2024.
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–2025)
On December 10, 2024, DiNucci was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad following an injury to quarterback Derek Carr. He signed a reserve/future contract with New Orleans on January 6, 2025, before being released on April 29, 2025. On August 15, 2025, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but was released during preliminary roster cuts on August 23, 2025.
Notable Achievements
DiNucci’s professional résumé is highlighted by his 2023 XFL passing yards leadership and his 2019 CAA Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-CAA honors during his senior season at James Madison. He also earned third-team All-CAA recognition as a junior in 2018, marking one of the most decorated careers in program history at the FCS level.
Ben DiNucci Broadcasting Career
Following his departure from the Atlanta Falcons, Benjamin Anthony DiNucci transitioned into sports media and became a college football color commentator for CBS Sports. He made his on-air debut at the Bucknell–Air Force game on August 30, 2025. In December, he partnered with the NFL on CBS for a video in which he disguised himself to play in a flag football game, expanding his presence in football broadcasting.
Ben DiNucci Family
Personal Life
Benjamin Anthony DiNucci was born and raised in the greater Pittsburgh area after being born in Atlanta, Georgia. Public details about his family, marital status, and children are not widely verified, and he has generally kept his personal life private outside of his professional football and broadcasting careers.
2025 Season Performance
Ben DiNucci’s 2025 season began with a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints in January, followed by his release on April 29, 2025. He then signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 15, 2025, briefly joining the quarterback room during the preseason before being released during preliminary roster cuts on August 23, 2025. Despite the brief return to an NFL roster, DiNucci was unable to secure a regular-season role during the 2025 campaign.
Following his release, DiNucci quickly pivoted to broadcasting and joined CBS Sports as a college football color commentator. He made his debut on August 30, 2025, at the Bucknell–Air Force game, signaling a new chapter in his post-playing career. Looking ahead, he is expected to continue calling college football games for CBS throughout the 2025 season and beyond, leveraging his NFL and XFL experience as a commentator.