This is one in a series of stories breaking down each player on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Dominic Rulli’s Penn State story has already had a little bit of everything.
He walked on. He waited. He earned a scholarship. He made a memorable special teams play in one of the most consequential games in 2024. Then, late in the 2025 season, he started in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson at center.
Now, Rulli enters 2026 with a chance to compete for something even bigger.
Rulli, a redshirt senior from Burlington, Kentucky, has appeared in 42 games over four seasons at Penn State, most of that work coming on special teams. He originally joined the program as a walk-on in 2022 before being awarded a scholarship at the start of the 2025 season.
Rulli appeared in 13 games in 2025 and made his first career collegiate start in the Pinstripe Bowl. Penn State finished that game with 397 yards, including 262 passing yards.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.According to Pro Football Focus, Rulli played 109 offensive snaps in 2025 and posted a 71.3 overall blocking grade, including a 68.4 run-blocking grade and 69.8 pass-blocking grade. He allowed no sacks and no quarterback hits.
He also remained a steady special teams contributor, logging 96 special teams snaps in 2025.
Of course, Rulli is perhaps best remembered for his role in Penn State’s 2024 win at Minnesota. He helped call the fake punt that sealed the game and delivered a key block that allowed Luke Reynolds to convert the first down.
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Before Penn State: Rulli played at The Taft School in Connecticut, where he was a four-time letterman and team captain.
Where he stands: Penn State is breaking in three new starters on the offensive line. Texas State transfer Brock Riker will be tough competition at center, but Rulli’s experience, toughness and versatility should keep him in the mix.
