Western Illinois University Athletics

SENIOR (2010): Missed the first two games of the season with an injury... returned to the field against Sam Houston State and recorded four tackles... made a solo tackle against Indiana State... earned his first career start at North Dakota State and finished with three tackles... made career-high six tackles at South Dakota State... recorded two tackles against Youngstown State... made three tackles at Missouri State... saw action but did not record any stats against Illinois State... matched a career-high with six tackles at Southern Illinois... shared on a sack... two solo stops, including a 6-yard sack, in the win over UNI... made five tackles in the playoff win at Coastal Carolina... solo tackle in the playoff game at Appalachian State.

JUNIOR (2009): Saw action in six games... made three tackles in consecutive games against Northern Illinois and Stephen F. Austin... solo stop against Southern Illinois... also played in the Sam Houston State, Youngstown State and Illinois State games.

SOPHOMORE (2008): Played in all 11 games... tallied 25 tackles, including five for loss... forced a fumble against Youngstown State... also had a pass breakup... earned the team's Hustle Award.

FRESHMAN (2007): One of five true freshmen to earn a letter... appeared in 10 games... recorded six tackles, including five against St. Francis... recovered a fumble by Illinois on the second-half kickoff... became the only Leatherneck in addition to Bryan Cox (1990) to block two kicks in one game (vs. Missouri State)... he picked up one of his blocked punts and returned it nine yards for a touchdown... because of his kicking game performance, earned the Green Beret Award at the team's annual awards banquet... named to the Gateway Conference Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the West Suburban Gold Division All-Conference Team as a senior... earned All-Area and All-Academic honors... helped his team to an 8-2 overall record and a 6-0 conference mark... started at outside linebacker and fullback for two years... carried the ball 56 times for 458 yards and four touchdowns... had 50 tackles as a junior and 59 as a senior... played for coach Paul Parpet... also a three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning All-Conference and All-Area honors... team captain in both sports

PERSONAL: Born December 7, 1988 in Hinsdale... No. 1 sports highlight was blocking two punts in a single game and taking one back for a touchdown... his family and friends have been a major influence, "They keep me motivated and strive to be successful."... most admires Michael Jordan and Walter Payton, "They are great athletes with great work ethic."; Brian Cushing, "He's one of my favorite linebackers."; and his HS coaches Parpet and Gore, "They helped get me to where I am now."... his relative Guissepe "The Godfather" Denatale is a professional fighter in Canada... enjoys working out, listening to music and eating... favorite professional teams are the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox and Bears... favorite musicians are Lil Wayne, T.I. and Eminem... son of Phil and Tina D'Astice.

MAJOR: Exercise Science with a minor in Management