This is one in a series of stories breaking down each of the players on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Donte Nastasi’s Penn State career has been defined more by patience than production so far.
A former State College High School standout, Nastasi arrived at Penn State as a local product with experience on both sides of the ball. He redshirted during the 2024 season, and 2025 didn’t bring the on-field breakthrough he hoped for. Nastasi was listed as out throughout the season and didn’t play a snap for Penn State.
That makes 2026 an important reset point.
Nastasi came to Penn State after playing for head coach Matt Lintal at State College High School, where his teams went a combined 19-7 across his final two seasons and won a pair of Mid-Penn championships.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Before Penn State: Nastasi was productive as both a receiver and defensive back. As a senior, he caught 54 passes for 647 yards and seven touchdowns while also making 20 tackles, breaking up three passes, intercepting two and returning one for a touchdown. He earned team wide receiver and defensive back of the year honors. As a junior, he recorded 29 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Where he stands: Nastasi redshirted in 2024 and didn’t record game action in 2025. That leaves him entering 2026 still looking for his first meaningful in-game opportunity in a Penn State uniform.
Because he has experience at receiver and defensive back, Nastasi’s athletic background gives him some versatility, but his clearest early path could come on special teams. Penn State’s roster is deep at skill spots, so carving out a role will likely come down to staying healthy, stacking practices and showing he can contribute in more than one phase.
Personal
Donte Thomas Nastasi is the son of Joe and Aaliyah Nastasi. He has four sisters, Kiyah Nastasi, Maya Nastasi, Dey Dey Thomas and Brianna Thomas, and two brothers, Joe Nastasi and Carter Thomas. He plans to major in communications.
