Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player’s background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.

Offensive lineman Dominic Rulli has become a fan favorite for his role in a famous fake punt that sealed a win against Minnesota last season. The former walk-on earned Penn State’s Most Outstanding Run-On award in 2023. Here’s a closer look at Rulli as he heads into the 2025 season.

Preseason Player Profile

Recruiting Rankings

Rulli received limited recruiting attention, with only one scholarship offer from Columbia University. He drew interest from programs like Kentucky, West Virginia, Army, and UConn but ultimately chose to walk on at Penn State, flipping his commitment from West Virginia in February 2022.

Depth Chart Overview

Rulli has carved out a niche as a reliable special teams contributor, appearing in all 13 games in 2023 and all 16 in 2024, primarily in punt and field goal units. In 2025, Rulli is projected as the primary backup center behind starter Nick Dawkins, though he faces competition from versatile lineman Cooper Cousins.