The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native will resume his football career close to home in the Steel City.
Donte Kent, one of Central Michigan’s most decorated defensive backs to don the Maroon and Gold, will continue his football career close to home, as the Pittsburgh Steelers took the former Chippewa in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.
Kent, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was a four-year starter for the Chippewas at both cornerback and safety, and picked up kickoff and punt returner duties in his final season in Mt. Pleasant, earning all-MAC honors as both a defensive back (2022-24) and a special teamer (2024.)
After earning Freshman All-American honors in 2021, Kent broke out in 2022, finishing as a first-team all-MAC defensive back after a campaign which saw him make 51 tackles (39 solo), 1.5 TFLs, a sack, 15 pass break-ups and a blocked kick. His 15 PBUs were ninth-most in the NCAA and second in the MAC behind only former Toledo Rocket and current Philadelphia Eagle Quinyon Mitchell’s 19.
Kent picked up safety duties as well as his usual corner duties in 2023, finishing third on the team in tackles (58), while leading the team in PBUs (seven) and adding 2.5 TFLs and a half-sack, earning second-team all-MAC honors.
2024 saw Kent ascend as a dynamic special teamer, ranking third in the MAC (fifth in the NCAA) in average punt return yardage (13.6 yards per return) and scoring a punt return touchdown, while also holding down a starting role at cornerback, finishing with 53 tackles (33 solo), nine PBUs and a half-TFL. Kent would go on to earn second-team all-MAC honors at both positions.
Overall, Kent finished his career with 235 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, a school-record 47 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick and a punt return touchdown.
Kent was invited to the Hula Bowl for his efforts, and posted elite speed numbers at his Pro Day in early March. In Kent, the Steelers are getting a former team captain with sticky man coverage corner who brings immediate special teams benefits in multiple phases.
Although he is a tad undersized to play as a safety at the pro level, he should fit in just fine at either outside or nickel corner despite his lack of turnover plays. His sure tackling, wealth of experience (47 starts over 53 appearances) and diverse skillset will be great adds for a team like the Steelers, who love to stash and develop players over multiple years.
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)