It’s going to be a family affair in Happy Valley next season. Hank Lustig, a standout senior from State College High School, is set to join the Penn State football program as a preferred walk-on - and he won’t have to look far for familiar faces. His father, Justin Lustig, is staying on as the Nittany Lions’ special teams coordinator under new head coach Matt Campbell, making this a unique father-son pairing inside the Lasch Building.
Hank made his commitment official on Thursday, announcing the news on social media. And while walk-ons don’t usually grab headlines, this one’s worth a closer look - not just because of the name on the back of the jersey, but because of what Hank brings to the table.
Let’s start with the resume. In 2025, Lustig earned first-team all-state honors in Pennsylvania’s competitive Class 6A, thanks to a productive season as a wide receiver.
He racked up 45 catches for 766 yards and 12 touchdowns, showing off the kind of route-running polish and ball skills that translate well to the college game. But he didn’t stop there.
On special teams, he returned two punts for touchdowns, blocked two field goals, and made his presence felt in the defensive secondary. Simply put, he was a playmaker in all three phases.
At 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, Lustig doesn’t have the prototypical size that draws major recruiting buzz. But what he lacks in frame, he makes up for with athleticism - clocking a 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range and posting a 36-inch vertical. That’s the kind of explosiveness that can turn heads in practice and earn opportunities, especially in a program that values versatility and football IQ.
And make no mistake, Hank’s football IQ should be off the charts. Growing up around the game, particularly with a father who’s coached special teams at the Power Five level for years, gives him a unique edge. Justin Lustig’s coaching journey includes stops at Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Ball State, and Louisiana Lafayette, and before that, he was a starting defensive back at Bucknell - so football runs deep in the family DNA.
Hank won’t be the first coach’s son to suit up for the Nittany Lions. Fans may remember Jaden Seider, who played defensive back from 2019 to 2022 while his father, Ja’Juan Seider, led Penn State’s running back room. And of course, there’s the gold standard: Larry Johnson Jr., the All-American and Heisman finalist running back in the early 2000s, whose father coached Penn State’s defensive line.
For now, Hank Lustig is expected to begin his college career as a scout-team contributor - a valuable role that helps prep the starters for game day. But if he’s going to make a name for himself on Saturdays, special teams could be his ticket.
It’s a natural fit, considering his production in high school and his familiarity with the finer points of the kicking game. With his dad overseeing that unit, you can bet Hank will understand exactly what’s expected.
It’s worth noting that during a tough 2025 season for Penn State, Justin Lustig’s special teams unit was one of the program’s bright spots. Punter Gabe Nwosu, kicker Ryan Barker, and long snapper Tyler Duzansky all earned All-Big Ten recognition.
Duzansky even became a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation’s top long snapper. Barker was nearly automatic, hitting 18 of 19 field goals and 44 of 45 extra points, while Nwosu averaged a booming 46.0 yards per punt.
That kind of performance helped solidify Justin Lustig’s place on the new coaching staff - he’s the only coordinator retained after the transition to Campbell. And now, with his son joining the locker room, the Lustig name will be woven even deeper into the fabric of Penn State football.
It’s early, and Hank Lustig’s journey is just beginning. But don’t be surprised if this walk-on finds his way into meaningful reps down the road. After all, he’s got the production, the pedigree, and the playmaking instincts - and now, he’s got the opportunity.