As a sophomore, he started the last 8 games at right guard. As a junior, he was named the starter at right guard and appeared in every game.
As a senior, he started every game at the right guard position.
Professional career
Oakland Raiders
DiNapoli was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft.[1] As a rookie, he was declared active in only 4 games, but did not play.
In 1999, he started the first 8 contests at right guard, before injuring his ribs. He returned as a backup behind Barry Sims.
In 2000, he was declared active in 4 games, but did not play. On June 14, 2001, he was re-signed to a one-year contract. He appeared in 5 games with 2 starts at center in place of an injured Kevin Long.
In 2002, he was named the starter at center, replacing the retired Bruce Matthews.[3] He started all 16 games and 2 playoff contests. He contributed to an offensive line that allowed just 21 sacks (second lowest in the NFL) and helped running backEddie George rush for his sixth 1,100-yard season. He was not re-signed after the season because of salary cap reasons.[4]
Dallas Cowboys
On August 6, 2003, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, to provide depth after second round draft choice Al Johnson was lost for the season with a knee injury.[5] He appeared as a backup center in 7 games behind Matt Lehr, before suffering a high ankle sprain in the seventh contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[6] On October 29, he was placed on the injured reserve list with cartilage damage to his knee and a high ankle sprain.[7]
In 2004, he missed all of training camp with a stress fracture in his right ankle. On August 31, he was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.[8] On November 9, he was placed on the injured reserve list. He was released on February 22, 2005.[9]