‘Being a Wildcat is a Blessing:’ WPIAL QB Commits to In-State Villanova

Peters Township’s Nolan DiLucia is one of the top signal callers in the 2026 WPIAL class and began to fill an offer sheet with several FCS programs.

However, it was the most recent offer — one added just 24 hours earlier — from a school that has recruited him for a few years now that became an immediate top choice, leading to his commitment.

On Saturday, DiLucia, the fourth-leading passer in the WPIAL last fall, announced his verbal pledge to in-state Villanova University.

“Me and my family sat down and talked over about how Villanova is very high in academics and football, so being a Wildcat is such a blessing,” DiLucia told Pittsburgh Sports Now.

I am beyond blessed to announce my commitment to Villanova University!! I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and anyone else who helped me along the way. Bless the man above!!! #TapTheRock #GoCats #ThankGod @Coach_Plack @coachferranteVU @CoachPagan @CoachChrisBoden pic.twitter.com/OM9xMpnubL

— Nolan DiLucia (@DiluciaNolan) May 10, 2025

The 6-2, 205-pound talent selected Villanova over other offers from Miami (OH), Fordham, Yale, Lehigh, Cornell, Penn, Towson and Princeton.

DiLucia has been pursued by area recruiter Nate Pagan and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chris Boden. Those relationships helped seal the commitment for the McMurray, Pa. native.

“Coach Pagan is the area recruiter and he has been on me for two years now and I just talked to him a lot. I visited campus in the spring and enjoyed the campus and my time meeting the staff. Once I worked out for Coach Boden in the spring I just knew it was a great opportunity and my place,” DiLucia said.

The recent visit to Villanova on the other side of the state showed DiLucia it was a place he could call home.

“I visited in May for a practice and enjoyed that visit a lot,” he said. “I met with all the coaches and saw the experience in the spring. I went down on Friday this week and was in contact all week with Coach Pagan and he was telling me how great I would be at the school. I went down had a great visit and told the coaches this is where i want to be.”

DiLucia is coming off a junior season in which he completed 174-of-270 passes for 2,525 yards and 23 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He led the Indians to back-to-back WPIAL Class 5A championship appearances, including a district title in 2023.

While DiLucia possesses a strong arm, is accurate and can run the ball if needed, he believes it’s his work ethic that will allow him to take the next step at the college level.

“I think my work ethic will push me and help me do great things at the next level. I always put my faith in the lord to bless me and guide me to great things, which I believe will come when the work is put in. I also think the staff at Villanova will help me be my best and fix the things I need to work on,” he said.

DiLucia becomes the second Division I commit of the Peters Township 2026 class after tight end/edge rusher Lucas Shanafelt committed to Stanford.

Check out the hudl highlights from Nolan DiLucia here.