Latest news with #CentralMichigan
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seventh-Round Pick Looking to Make Mark with Steelers: ‘I Just Have a Dawg Mentality'
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers' seventh-round pick Donte Kent is looking to make his mark with the team. So far at OTAs, he's primarily played in the nickel. 'Most of my time is in the nickel right now,' Kent said. 'I think I can play inside or outside, but I feel comfortable in (the nickel). We'll see where it goes.' Advertisement The Steelers selected Kent with their second pick in the seventh round, No. 229 overall, in the 2025 NFL Draft. A four-year starter at Central Michigan and three-time All-MAC honoree, Kent brings intrigue as a developmental prospect with notable athletic traits. Best known for his speed, Kent ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also made an impact in the return game, ranking fifth in the nation with an average of 13.5 yards per punt return. His quickness and agility made him particularly effective in man coverage, where he excelled at mirroring slot receivers. In 53 career games at Central Michigan, Kent made 234 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, two interceptions, 47 pass breakups, 49 passes defended, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. 'I just have a dawg mentality,' Kent said about his ball-hawk traits. 'That ball is my ball. My mindset is I'm going to go make a play on the football every pass thrown my way.' Advertisement Kent's brother, Desmond, played at Robert Morris, while his other brother, Ronald, is in the Canadian Football League on the British Columbia Lions. Kent, who's the youngest child on his mom's side, credits his brothers for making him tougher. 'I'm the baby on my mom's side. I have three older brothers. In my opinion, they all could play professional football. It just ain't work out that way for everybody. It's been a competitive household whether we're playing Madden, playing football out on the street, wrestling in the house. Whatever we're doing, it's always been competitive. And me being the baby, they always picked on me a little bit. Nothing crazy but they picked on me. That built the toughness that I have right now and the competitive nature that I have, as well. All credit to my brothers.' Kent also credits his time at Harrisburg (Pa.) High School for building his character. 'At Harrisburg, we breed dawgs. We breed dawgs still to this day. We're breeding dawgs, and that just carried over when I got into college,' Kent said. 'Playing at Harrisburg we're a lot of people don't make it out, it just motivates me still to this day. To show people that there's always a better life out there.' Advertisement As with fellow seventh-round pick Carson Bruener, Kent's special teams performance could be a key factor in what dictates whether he makes the 53-man roster. He is expected to compete for a role as a gunner on punt coverage and as a return specialist—both roles he thrived in during his time in college. While expectations are modest for Kent entering his rookie season, the Steelers have a history of finding value in late-round and undrafted defensive backs. Recent examples include Beanie Bishop Jr and Arthur Maulet, and, in past years, Mike Hilton. Alan Saunders and Joe Fitzgerald contributed reporting for this story. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Seventh-Round Pick Looking to Make Mark with Steelers: 'I Just Have a Dawg Mentality' Advertisement Related Headlines
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Lady Vol named assistant basketball coach at Central Michigan
Former Lady Vol named assistant basketball coach at Central Michigan Central Michigan hired former Lady Vol Jordan Walker as an assistant coach. "I'm excited to welcome Jordan to our program," Central Michigan head coach Kristin Haynie said. "I love how she sees the game, our guards are in great hands. They'll benefit not only from her experience as an elite player, but also from her ability to teach and break the game down. "What makes her truly special is that she cares first about helping our players grow into confident, successful young women." Walker played for the Lady Vols from 2020-23 under head coach Kellie Harper after transferring from Western Michigan. As a three-year starter at Tennessee, she helped the Lady Vols make three NCAA Tournament appearances and advancing to the Sweet 16 two times. Walker recorded 291 assists in three seasons. The former Lady Vol previously served as an assistant coach at Jacksonville (2024-25) and Mercer (2023-24). Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State transfer OL Kyler Brunan picks up offer from in-state school
Michigan State transfer OL Kyler Brunan picks up offer from in-state school Kyler Brunan was a three-star prospect coming out of high school and had an offer from Central Michigan then too A former Michigan State offensive lineman has picked up a transfer portal offer from an in-state program. Former Spartans offensive lineman Kyler Brunan announced on Monday that he's received an offer from Central Michigan. Brunan shared the notable transfer portal news via a post on his social media X account. Brunan was a preferred walk-on at Michigan State and entered the transfer portal in April. He was a member of the Spartans' 2024 class and redshirted in his lone year with the Spartans. Out of high school, Brunan was a three-star prospect in the 2024 class. He ranked as the No. 159 interior offensive lineman in the country, according to 247Sports. He played at Traverse City West High School. Central Michigan is the first known school to offer Brunan since entering the portal based on his social media account. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers make two selections in final round of 2025 NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (WKBN) – The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Washington linebacker Carson Bruener and Central Michigan defensive back Donte Kent in the span of four picks in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday. Bruener, the 226th overall pick in round seven, registered 104 total tackles (60 solo) and intercepted three passes. In 52 career games at Washington, he recorded 305 total tackles. Kent, drafted 229th overall, spent five seasons at Central Michigan with two career interceptions and 46 passes defended. The three-time All-MAC honoree started 48 games at cornerback for the Chippewas, including 15 consecutive starts to end his career. View all the Pittsburgh Steelers selections in the 2025 NFL Draft below: Round 1 / Pick 21 – Derrick Harmon, DT / Oregon Round 3 / Pick 83 – Kaleb Johnson, RB / Iowa Round 4 / Pick 123 – Jack Sawyer, DE / Ohio State Round 5 / Pick 164 – Yahya Black, DT / Iowa Round 6 / Pick 185 – Will Howard, QB / Ohio State Round 7 / Pick 226 – Carson Bruener, LB / Washington Round 7 / Pick 229 – Donte Kent, DB / Central Michigan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Transfer WR Evan Boyd gets high remarks from coaching staff as spring practice wraps up
Transfer WR Evan Boyd gets high remarks from coaching staff as spring practice wraps up Evan Boyd has been particularly impressive this spring according to wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins One of the Spartans newcomers at wide receiver received some high remarks from his position coach earlier this week. Michigan State wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins caught up with the media earlier this week to talk about how spring practice has been going with his players. One of the guys that received a shout out from Hawkins was Evan Boyd. Boyd is in his first spring with the Spartans after transferring from Central Michigan. Hawkins said Boyd has been played "faster than we saw on tape" and considered him to be a "straight up football junkie." Additionally, Hawkins said he can't wait to see further progression from Boyd in the fall. Here's the full quote from Hawkins on Boyd -- courtesy of Emmett Matasovsky of Spartan Shadows: Boyd played in 12 games across two seasons at Central Michigan. This past season Boyd recorded 21 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Boyd was one of a few incoming transfer wide receivers as the Spartans made an effort to reshape that position room. If he is better than expected, then Michigan State could have a very dangerous wide receiver core next fall. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
