[2] In 2001, DePaola entered Hereford High School in Parkton, Maryland as a freshman with a passion for baseball, but soon shifted his focus to football.

[3] DePaola quickly became an integral part of the school's football team, the Bulls, and was promoted to the varsity squad his sophomore year.

DePaola's success continued into his senior year, in which he again led the football team to the state championship but ultimately lost.

[3] The last football game DePaola would play during his high school career would be the Good Samaritan Bowl hosted at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

[5] While DePaola did make football his athletic focus during his high school career, he continued to play baseball earning all-Metro honors his senior year after batting .527 and posting a 3–1 record as a pitcher.

[7] His first year, DePaola was redshirted, a technique in player management for college sports in which students may practice with the team while attending classes, but not play in any games.

DePaola was not immediately drafted after college, and would spend the next two years after graduation working as a bartender and other odd jobs before he'd get his break on an NFL roster.

[13] DePaola made his on-field debut against the Carolina Panthers on September 7, 2014, with two snaps on successful extra point attempts and one tackle assist.

[27] DePaola earned both a Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro nomination as long snapper with the Vikings for the 2022 season.