DENVER – Following a successful tryout during the team’s rookie minicamp this past weekend, former James Madison All-American quarterback Ben DiNucci signed a contract with the Denver Broncos, the franchise announced on Tuesday.

DiNucci, who played for JMU in 2018 and 2019, spent this past spring as the starting quarterback with the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL.

He led Seattle to a 7-3 record, finishing second in the XFL North Division standings to clinch a spot in the 2023 postseason. On the year, he was 242 of 374 for 2,671 yards and 20 passing touchdowns. He completed 64.7% of his passes, averaging 7.1 yards per pass attempt.

DiNucci threw for over 300 yards three times, including a season-high 377 in the team’s first win of the year at the Vegas Vipers. He also rushed for 305 yards and three scores on 53 attempts, averaging 5.8 per rush.

He led the league in passing yards, completions and attempts while ranking second in passing touchdowns and sixth in rushing yards. He was the XFL’s top rushing quarterback by seven yards over Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Ta’amu from the D.C. Defenders.

Prior to the XFL, DiNucci was a seventh-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons in Dallas, as well as the 2022 preseason with the squad. In three games played in the NFL, he was 23 of 43 for 219 passing yards. He also rushed for 22 more.

As a Duke, DiNucci started 29 games in two seasons, throwing for 5,716 yards with 45 touchdowns. He completed 70% of his passes while also rushing for 1,002 yards and 16 scores. He was voted a First Team All-American by the AFCA in 2019 and was named CAA Offensive Player of the Year in the same season.

— JMU Athletics —