John Nestor

Position:
DB
Ht./Wt.:
6-1 / 205
Hometown:
Chicago, Ill.
High School:
Marist
Prev School:
Iowa
Years in College / At Minnesota:
4 / 2
Letters:
1
Class:
Senior

PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Dec. 1, 2025)
Bednarik Award Player of the Week (Dec. 2, 2025)

OVERVIEW: Enrolled at Minnesota in June 2025 • spent the previous two seasons (2023-24) at Iowa.

2025: Played in 11 games • made 50 tackles and had six tackles for loss • tied for the Big Ten lead with six interceptions (tied for third most in single-season program history), broke up six passes and recovered one fumble • returned one interception for a touchdown. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota debut against Buffalo and totaled two tackles and one pass breakup • broke up one pass and recorded two interceptions against Northwestern State, had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown six seconds into the game • made four tackles and had one tackle for loss at Cal • broke up one pass and made three tackles against Rutgers • broke up one pass, made five tackles and had one tackle for loss at Ohio State • made seven tackles against Purdue and had one interception and one pass break up • finished with three tackles and one tackle for loss at Iowa • made one pass breakup and had six tackles against Michigan State • totaled eight tackles and made one tackle for loss at Oregon • missed the Northwestern game with an injury • became the first FBS player since 1995 to record nine tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in a game when he did so against Wisconsin • made three tackles and had one interception against New Mexico.

PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Spent two seasons at Iowa where he played in 20 games and made 16 tackles (12 solo) • received the Team Hustle Award for special teams in both 2024 and 2023 • in 2024, played in 10 games and had 14 tackles (10 solo) and also recovered one muffed punt • in 2023, played in 10 games and made two tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Marist High School in Chicago, Illinois • wore No. 7 for the RedHawks and was coached by Ron Dawczak • played both safety and corner on defense and wide receiver on offense • team posted a 16-8 record in his final two seasons (advanced to the second round of the playoffs as a senior and reached the state semifinals as a junior) • as a senior, served as team captain and had 52 tackles, five interceptions, 10 pass breakups and three forced fumbles • also totaled 416 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns • named CCL Blue Defensive Player of the Year, CCL Blue first-team all-conference, Class 8A IHSA and Rivals first-team all-state and Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune first-team all-area • as a junior, recorded 63 tackles, five interceptions, eight pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, one sack and 302 all-purpose yards • named CCL Blue first-team all-conference and Max Preps all-state • also competed in basketball.

PERSONAL: Son of John and Rachele Nestor • has two brothers (Jackson, Griffen) and one sister (Kailey) • father, John, played college football at Miami (Ohio) and was a safety.