Latest news with #DonteKent
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
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.
