Ben DiNucci Drafted by Dallas Cowboys in Seventh Round of 2020 NFL Draft

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round and 231st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.

It is the second straight season a JMU player was selected in the NFL Draft, as Jimmy Moreland was a seventh-round choice by the Redskins in 2019.

DiNucci was one of the nation's most-efficient passers in each of his two seasons with the Dukes. The 2019 AFCA First Team All-American led the FCS with a 70.9% completion percentage while also ranking second in pass efficiency (169.5), sixth in yards per attempt (9.1) and 11th in passing touchdowns (29).

Voted the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, DiNucci completed his senior season throwing for 3,441 yards and 29 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He also rushed for 569 yards and seven scores. He ranked second in JMU single-season history in both passing yards and total offense (4,010), tied for second in passing touchdowns and third in completions. He threw for over 200 yards in 11 games and completed better than 75% of his passes eight times. He also scored three or more touchdowns in six games.

DiNucci wrapped up his career ranking in the top-10 of JMU's career list, which included tied for third in completions (479), fourth in both passing touchdowns (45) and passing yards (5,716) and seventh in total offense (6,718).

He becomes just the second JMU quarterback to ever be drafted, joining Mike Cawley, who was picked in the sixth round of the 1996 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

To date, nine former JMU stars are currently on active NFL rosters, including five from the 2016 national-championship team.

Former JMU Players on NFL Rosters
Daniel Brown – New York Jets
Rashard Davis – Tennessee Titans
Ben DiNucci – Dallas Cowboys
Raven Greene – Green Bay Packers
Ishmael Hyman – Carolina Panthers
Dean Marlowe – Buffalo Bills
Marcus Marshall – Kansas City Chiefs
Jimmy Moreland – Washington Redskins
Aaron Stinnie – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

JMU All-Time in NFL Draft
2020 – Ben DiNucci – Dallas Cowboys (Round 7, Pick #231)
2019 – Jimmy Moreland – Washington Redskins (Round 7, Pick #227)
2013 – Earl Watford – Arizona Cardinals (Round 4, Pick #116)
2010 – Arthur Moats – Buffalo Bills (Round 6, Pick #178)
2010 – Scotty McGee – Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 6, Pick #203)
2000 – Curtis Keaton – Cincinnati Bengals (Round 4, Pick #97)
1999 – Tony Booth – Carolina Panthers (Round 7, Pick #211)
1997 – Macey Brooks – Dallas Cowboys (Round 4, Pick #127)
1997 – Ed Perry – Miami Dolphins (Round 6, Pick #177)
1996 – Mike Cawley – Indianapolis Colts (Round 6, Pick #205)
1990 – Steve Bates – Los Angeles Rams (Round 10, Pick #272)
1989 – Shawn Woodson – Minnesota Vikings (Round 12, Pick #331)
1988 – Neal Wilkinson – Green Bay Packers (Round 9, Pick #228)
1987 – Warren Marshall – Denver Broncos (Round 6, Pick #167)
1986 – Charles Haley – San Francisco 49ers (Round 4, Pick #96)
1984 – Gary Clark – Washington Redskins (Supplemental Draft Pick #55)

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