With their final pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent at 229th overall.
"I am just happy. I am a Pa. baby, and I feel like Pa. babies stay in Pa.," said Kent, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., via today via conference call. "That's an exciting moment for me, to go play for the Steelers."
Kent appeared in 53 games for Central Michigan, recording 235 career tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 47 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 1.5 sacks.
He's a speedy cornerback, posting a 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day. He's not the biggest guy at 5-10 and 187 pounds, but he has the ability to play either outside cornerback or in the slot. He's a productive tackler, recording at least 50 tackles in each of his last four seasons.
In addition, Kent brings a good amount of experience and willingness to play as a core special teamer. He also has experience as a punt returner, averaging 13.6 yards per return in 2024 with one touchdown.
Right away, Kent's quickest pathway to a roster spot is in the return game and as a core special teamer. But, he can also toss his hat into the slot cornerback competition with Beanie Bishop and Brandin Echols. Bishop earned his job last year as an undrafted free agent, so it's not unheard of for Kent to come in and make some noise in Latrobe.
Kent knows he's going to have to be versatile, taking advantage of any role he can get his hands on.
"I am a versatile player," Kent said. "I can play the nickel position. I can play the cornerback position. I am a football player that can return punts. I can come in and be a core special teams player. You can throw me back deep as a kick returner as well. I want to come in and do whatever I can to contribute to the team in a positive way."
Until the Steelers selected Kent, the team had picked only players from Big Ten schools in this draft. Central Michigan is in the MAC.
"I don't know if that was an agenda," Mike Tomlin said. "I just think there's a lot of teams in the Big Ten now, just like there's a lot of teams in the SEC. How many teams are there in the Big Ten?"
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
6:22 pm - 04.26.2025South SideSeventh round: Kent breaks up all Big Ten draft
With their final pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent at 229th overall.
"I am just happy. I am a Pa. baby, and I feel like Pa. babies stay in Pa.," said Kent, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., via today via conference call. "That's an exciting moment for me, to go play for the Steelers."
Kent appeared in 53 games for Central Michigan, recording 235 career tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 47 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 1.5 sacks.
He's a speedy cornerback, posting a 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day. He's not the biggest guy at 5-10 and 187 pounds, but he has the ability to play either outside cornerback or in the slot. He's a productive tackler, recording at least 50 tackles in each of his last four seasons.
In addition, Kent brings a good amount of experience and willingness to play as a core special teamer. He also has experience as a punt returner, averaging 13.6 yards per return in 2024 with one touchdown.
Right away, Kent's quickest pathway to a roster spot is in the return game and as a core special teamer. But, he can also toss his hat into the slot cornerback competition with Beanie Bishop and Brandin Echols. Bishop earned his job last year as an undrafted free agent, so it's not unheard of for Kent to come in and make some noise in Latrobe.
Kent knows he's going to have to be versatile, taking advantage of any role he can get his hands on.
"I am a versatile player," Kent said. "I can play the nickel position. I can play the cornerback position. I am a football player that can return punts. I can come in and be a core special teams player. You can throw me back deep as a kick returner as well. I want to come in and do whatever I can to contribute to the team in a positive way."
Until the Steelers selected Kent, the team had picked only players from Big Ten schools in this draft. Central Michigan is in the MAC.
"I don't know if that was an agenda," Mike Tomlin said. "I just think there's a lot of teams in the Big Ten now, just like there's a lot of teams in the SEC. How many teams are there in the Big Ten?"
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