Hello, I'm Antonio Valentino, and welcome to Animal Instinct Performance!
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, I’ve dedicated my life to the game of football, and now I’m passionate about passing on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of defensive linemen.
After attending Westerville North High School, I earned a scholarship to Penn State University, where I played as part of the 2016 Big Ten Championship team, the 2017 Fiesta Bowl Championship team, and the 2019 Cotton Bowl Championship team. I graduated in 2019 with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and played my senior year in 2020. Following that, I transferred to the University of Florida, where I played for the Gators for one season.
After college, I signed free agent deals with the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks, gaining invaluable professional experience before returning home to Columbus.
Throughout my career, I’ve learned that football is more than just a game—it’s a platform to teach discipline, hard work, and perseverance. At Animal Instinct Performance, I aim to equip young defensive linemen with the tools they need to dominate on the field while developing skills and mental toughness that will serve them off the field as well.
Through coaching, I’ll help your son master the fundamentals of the game and develop the love and passion for football that will carry him through his athletic journey and beyond.
Thank you for trusting me with your son’s development—let’s work together to unlock his full potential and help him become the player he’s meant to be.
"The best coaches I had were extremely tough on me, they demanded my best every single day. On the other side of the equation, they knew me individually as a person and gave me the love and confidence that I needed to go be my best. They taught me the lessons that have helped shape me into the man I am today. As a kid all I needed was someone to believe in me so I could believe in myself. That's what I want to be now, my playing days are over, now I want to be a resource to others that I wish I had sooner in life."
- Coach Antonio Valentino