A 320lb bulldozer standing at 6’5″, that’s Dominick Puni for you. He has mowed his way through college football like a freight train starting at Central Missouri. Then he took his game to Kansas University and cemented his role as a powerhouse OL. Fast forward to August 2024, and he’s now flexing his muscles as a guard for the Niners. Talk about a career moving at full speed!

But this shift in gears was always anticipated. Why, you may ask? Well, he’s not the only Puni with a passion for sports. In fact, every member of the Puni family has competed in a sport. Starting from the top of the family tree, Dominick’s parents—Dad, Teu, and Mom, Jessica—were both college athletes at Truman State. While Teu was making plays on the football field, Jessica was busy spiking the volleyball.

However, their athletic talents didn’t stop with them—they passed them down to their children. Not only did Dominick inherit these genes, but all of their kids did as well. His brothers, Derrick and Devin, played college football at Central Missouri, while his sister, Brianna, played basketball at Illinois State. So, the next time you see Dominick Puni making headlines, don’t be surprised.

One can only imagine the atmosphere at their family dinners—like an all-star game around the dining table. Picture lively sports debates mixed with balanced meals packed with carbs, proteins, and fiber. It’s as if they’re prepping for the next big game while analyzing the last one. No wonder Dominick has been hitting his stride!

Throughout his long college journey—four seasons at Division II Central Missouri followed by two years at Kansas—his family was there to see him swim in the testing waters. But there was a whole new noise about the senior year of the household’s star boy ‘Dom’.“They said senior year, they’re coming to everything,” Puni shared. “They don’t want to miss anything. The away games are really just my parents, but every home game, it’s like at least ten family members come through. Yeah, I love it.”

Don’t mind his little fan club, as it’ll follow him everywhere. Just like in his college days.

How good was Dominick Puni in college?

Dominick Puni’s college football journey has been nothing short of a highlight reel. He began at Central Missouri in 2018, amassing four seasons of experience and making a name for himself despite a COVID-19 cancellation and an injury setback. Did that slow him down? Not a chance! After a standout freshman year, Puni stormed onto the field in his second season, earning an All-MIAA Honorable Mention.

Later, Puni’s transfer to Kansas in 2022 felt like finding the end zone after a long drive. Over the next two seasons, he established himself as a formidable presence on the field. In 2023, he delivered a standout performance, not allowing a single sack or quarterback hit in 342 pass-blocking snaps. Talk about a fortress of protection!

His stellar performance earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors and helped Kansas land a top-10 rushing finish. Puni went from Division II to the big leagues, showing that hard work and perseverance can turn any underdog story into a touchdown dance.

Meanwhile, what sets Dominick Puni apart on the NFL stage? Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings highlights his near-elite mobility, power, and versatility as key elements of his game. “He can be weaponized in the run game as a pulling and space blocker.”

So, with the 49ers grabbing him in the third round of this year’s draft, they’re clearly placing a big bet on his potential. But will Big Dom raise the Puni banner high in San Francisco? Only time will tell.