From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL team. These players could be potential top-10 picks, Day 3 selections, or priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Central Michigan cornerback/punt returner Donte Kent, the Steelers’ seventh round and final pick of 2025.
No. 4 DONTE KENT, CB/PR, CENTRAL MICHIGAN (R-SENIOR) — 5102, 189 POUNDS
MEASUREMENTS
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Donte Kent | 5102/189 | 8 1/2* | 31* | 73 1/2* |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.38* | 1.53* | 4.38 | 7.15* | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 10’3″* | 38.5* | 14* |
Pro Day Results*
THE GOOD
— Filled-out frame relative to his height
— Physical in coverage as well as a run defender
— Has the straight-line speed to cover vertical receivers
— Recovery speed pops off the screen on tape
— Shows phenomenal effort in pursuit of the football
— Wrap-up tackler who wants to play his part against the run
— Operates well in zone coverage while coming downhill to contest passes
— Has experience playing in the slot, out wide, and some at safety
— Will challenge for punt-return duties in training camp
— Has the athletic profile and demeanor to be a strong gunner on special teams
THE BAD
— Lacks ideal height and length for playing on the outside
— Doesn’t always play up to his timed speed
— Doesn’t always play with great pad level in coverage
— Can be slow to click and close on underneath routes
— Physical play style can cause him to get a little grabby on receivers’ breaks
— Can do a better job breaking down when tackling the ball carrier
— Awareness when seeing/reading route breaks can be improved
— Transitions from backpedal to flipping of hips/lateral movement can be clunky
— Only two interceptions in 53 career games
BIO
— Redshirt senior from Harrisburg, Pa.
— Born Sept. 28, 2001 (age 23)
— Sport management major
— Three-star recruit, according to Rivals
— Grew up a Chicago Bears fan
— Captain in high school team won a district championship as a senior
— Committed to Central Michigan out of high school
— Career: 53 games played, 234 tackles (six for a loss), 46 pass breakups and two interceptions
— 2024 stats: 53 tackles (one for loss), nine pass breakups, and zero interceptions.
— Second-team All-MAC (2023-2024); 2024 team captain, first-team All-MAC (2022)
TAPE BREAKDOWN
The Pittsburgh Steelers used their final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on Central Michigan CB/PR Donte Kent. Kent signed with Central Michigan in 2020 and had spent all five seasons with the Chippewas, becoming a three-time All-MAC player for his contributions on defense as well as on special teams.
When you pop in the tape on Kent, you see a tough, rugged defensive back who has played in the slot as well as out wide at cornerback with some safety snaps sprinkled in. He is a willing and capable tackler who will fight off blocks and come downhill against the run like you see in the clip below against Illinois. Kent fights off the block before making the tackle to keep the runner from reaching the end zone.
Kent shows great effort in pursuit of the football. He will come off his assignment to try to make a tackle, both against the run and when chasing down receivers after the catch.
Watch this clip against the Illini. Kent starts by covering his man breaking on a post over the middle of the field but peels off as he sees the pass completed underneath. Kent comes downhill, breaks down, and makes the tackle in open space.
Kent is at his best as an off-coverage defender when he can come downhill and make an impact challenging receivers at the catch point.
Watch the clip below of Kent making his coverage drop and seeing the receiver break open over the middle of the field. He gets on his horse to get on the receiver’s hip pocket and breaks up the pass.
When he’s reading the quarterback’s eyes in coverage, Kent does a good job staying in phase and has the speed and burst to run with most receivers down the field. Watch this clip below of Kent not biting on the stutter-and-go at the top of your screen. He keeps his eyes on the quarterback as he runs stride for stride with the intended receiver down the sideline, keeping him from reaching the ball in the end zone.
Kent can be a bit slow coming out of his transitions and click and closing on the football. Watch this rep below Kent freezes for a split second as the receiver comes out of his route, not moving his legs to come downhill to contest the pass. The receiver makes the easy grab for the first down, catching Kent flat-footed.
Kent is a little too aggressive at times in coverage, getting a little grabby at the top of routes.
In this rep, Kent gets called for blatant pass interference on the crossing route into the end zone. He panics and proceeds to tuck at the receiver’s waist, tripping him up before the ball arrives.
Kent will also be hoping to provide Pittsburgh with an impact in special teams, having returned 16 punts for 217 yards and one touchdown for CMU this past season.
His TD return came against Central Connecticut in the first clip below, but he also has several other successful returns on his tape. In the second clip against Western Michigan, Kent utilizes his combination of speed and vision to follow his blocks and get into open space.
CONCLUSION
Donte Kent is a prototypical fit for slot-corner duties in the NFL. He brings some versatility to the table, having experience outside as well as some at safety. He is a willing and capable tackler and has the play speed you desire, though his instincts can cause him to be a step behind at times in coverage.
His path to making the Steelers’ 53-man roster will be on special teams as a punt returner and gunner. He will need to get into the good graces of ST coordinator Danny Smith to earn a roster spot coming out of the preseason.
When coming up with a pro comp for Kent, Avery Williams came to mind as another college defensive back who also specialized as a kick and punt returner with similar size and athleticism as Kent.
Depot Draft Grade: 6.2 — End of Roster/Practice Squad (7th Round)
Games Watched: vs Central Connecticut (2024), at Illinois (2024), vs Western Michigan (2024)
