For years, local football players have grown up watching gamedays in Happy Valley, imagining that one day they could be running out of the tunnel into a sea of blue and white. Now, that dream is becoming reality for three State High football players. Staying home gives them the chance to carry the excitement of Friday night lights at Memorial Field into Saturdays at Beaver Stadium.
Seniors Hank Lustig, D’Antae Sheffey, and Jake Lukac have all decided to continue their academic and athletic careers at The Pennsylvania State University. This marks a major milestone not only for the athletes themselves, but also for the State High football program.
State High Head Coach Matt Lintal described these commitments as the next step in the strong connection that has developed between the high school and the university’s football program.
“We’re super excited. It’s really cool that next fall we will actually have six former State High football players on Penn State’s football team,” Lintal said.
That growing list includes current Nittany Lions Jashaun Green, Donte Nastasi, and Finn Furmanek, making State High one of the strongest recruiting pipelines into the Penn State program.
For Lustig, the opportunity to join the Nittany Lions became real the moment Penn State’s coaching staff showed interest and outlined a vision for the program’s future.
“When I first got the offer, I knew it was something that was really intriguing to me. After I was able to meet with some of the coaches, like [Head] Coach [Matt] Campbell, and hear about what they had to say about what they think the future of the program’s gonna look like I was really bought in. I knew from there that I wanna be a part of it,” Lustig said.
Lintal emphasized that each player’s recruiting process followed a different path, shaped by timing, opportunity, and personal priorities. However, all three decisions centered on one common theme: family.
Sheffey had originally committed to Syracuse University but reopened his recruitment before ultimately choosing Penn State shortly after Campbell arrived in State College. For him, staying local allows his family to continue supporting both him and his younger brother, State High junior Anthony Sheffey. Lustig will have the unique opportunity to play for his father, Justin Lustig, who serves as Penn State’s special teams coordinator. Lukac will follow in his dad’s footsteps as a Nittany Lion, continuing a family legacy.
“I think the theme of all three of those people is family; it really became the major focus of their decision making,” Lintal said.
While the excitement of committing to a Division l program is clear, Lustig understands that the transition will require an even higher level of discipline and focus.
“It’s gonna be a lot of work, and I know that, so I’m excited for it, but just staying consistent and trying to get better every day, ” Lustig said.
Lintal pointed out that beyond their athletic ability, what separates these athletes is their character, work ethic, and willingness to represent the program.
“These kids are just gonna add to the tradition of what Penn State football is; that legacy that we all know it to be. Guys working really hard–a blue collar mentality–guys that are going to go to class and be great student athletes, great people, and great humans. Those kids represent our program, and they’re certainly going to represent Penn State in the best way possible,” Lintal said.
After building chemistry together through years of practices and games at State High, the trio now has the unique opportunity to continue playing alongside one another at the next level. Reflecting on his time at State High, Lustig highlighted the importance of team chemistry and inclusivity as a lesson he will carry forward.
“It’s impactful to be on a good team and really talk to everybody around you and always include everybody. Growing a team and being connected with everybody on the team, not just your friends, makes the biggest impact,” Lustig said.
As these players prepare to take the next step in their athletic careers, their commitments represent more than personal successes. They reflect the culture of the State High program and act as motivation for younger players hoping to follow a similar path.
