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Donte Kent Selected by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 NFL Draft
4/26/2025 6:32:00 PM | Football
Donte Kent HighlightsDonte Kent BioPittsburgh Tribune-Review StoryPennLive StoryDominic Serapiglia BioBrayden Swartout BioJustin Whiteside BioDominic Serapiglia Story: Steelers Now
Cornerback/punt returner Donte Kent is taken in the seventh round with the No. 229 pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers; two other Chippewas earn NFL camp invites: C Dominic Serapiglia (Pittsburgh Steelers) and OL Brayden Swartout (Indianapolis Colts); LB Justin Whiteside signs with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan cornerback/punt returner and Harrisburg, Pa. native Donte Kent was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2025 National Football League Draft on Saturday evening. He was pick No. 229.
Kent becomes the 45th Central Michigan player drafted into the NFL and ninth Chippewa player drafted since 2010. He became the first Central Michigan cornerback taken in the draft since Sean Murphy-Bunting and Xavier Crawford, who were both selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
A three-time All-MAC honoree (First Team in 2022 and Second Team in 2023 and 2024), Kent expanded his leadership responsibilities as he served as the team's captain in all 12 games in 2024. From his cornerback position, Kent finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles (33 solo), eight pass breakups and 0.5 sack. He also emerged as the Chippewas' punt returner and ended up with 16 punt returns for 217 yards (13.56 average) and a 68-yard touchdown in the season's first game against Central Connecticut State. He concluded the year ranked No. 2 nationally in punt return touchdowns (1) and No. 5 in punt returns (13.56 yards per return).
In his five-year, 53-game, 48-start career at Central Michigan, Kent made 235 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. He set the school's career record with 47 career pass breakups and ranked No. 2 all-time in passes defended (49). With his 13.56 yards per punt return, he ended his career ranked No. 10 on the school's season list. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Jim Thorpe Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major. He accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl.
Two other Central Michigan players earned NFL training camp invites including center Dominic Serapiglia III (Pittsburgh Steelers) and offensive lineman Brayden Swartout (Indianapolis Colts).
Serapiglia, a Jefferson Hills/Pittsburgh, Pa. native, concluded his career by starting 24 consecutive games at center. Prior to the season, the College Football Network All-MAC honorable mention selection was nominated for two national community service awards (AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerfel Trophy) and was a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. In his career at CMU and Southeastern Louisiana, Serapiglia has played in 50 games with 37 career starts on the offensive line (24 at CMU, 13 at SELU). Serapiglia graduated from CMU with his MBA.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout is a two-time All-MAC selection. He was named an All-MAC Second Team honoree after starting 11 games at right tackle in 2024. He was part of a CMU offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks for 171 yards. Over his four-year career, Swartout has seen action in 40 games, starting 36, including 29 consecutive starts at one point. Swartout was invited to compete in the upcoming Hula Bowl. He also served as a team captain in five games and is a Marketing Professional Sales major.
A Flossmoor, Ill. native, linebacker Justin Whiteside signed with the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger Cats. Whiteside played in 59 games with 35 starts, totaled 214 tackles (117 solo) with 23.5 tackles for loss for 82 yards, 6.0 sacks for 44 yards, one interception, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. A four-year letterman, Whiteside is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree (2023 and 2024).
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Kent becomes the 45th Central Michigan player drafted into the NFL and ninth Chippewa player drafted since 2010. He became the first Central Michigan cornerback taken in the draft since Sean Murphy-Bunting and Xavier Crawford, who were both selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
With the 229th pick in the 2025 #NFLDraft, we select CB/PR Donte Kent. pic.twitter.com/nEbi4MdTWe
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2025
A three-time All-MAC honoree (First Team in 2022 and Second Team in 2023 and 2024), Kent expanded his leadership responsibilities as he served as the team's captain in all 12 games in 2024. From his cornerback position, Kent finished the 2024 season with 53 tackles (33 solo), eight pass breakups and 0.5 sack. He also emerged as the Chippewas' punt returner and ended up with 16 punt returns for 217 yards (13.56 average) and a 68-yard touchdown in the season's first game against Central Connecticut State. He concluded the year ranked No. 2 nationally in punt return touchdowns (1) and No. 5 in punt returns (13.56 yards per return).
Steelers select Donte Kent with No. 229 pick in 2025 draft https://t.co/EKxM2CYaHL #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 26, 2025
In his five-year, 53-game, 48-start career at Central Michigan, Kent made 235 tackles (171 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. He set the school's career record with 47 career pass breakups and ranked No. 2 all-time in passes defended (49). With his 13.56 yards per punt return, he ended his career ranked No. 10 on the school's season list. The Harrisburg, Pa. native entered the year as a Jim Thorpe Award Watch list player and consensus All-MAC preseason honoree. Kent is a Sport Management major. He accepted an invitation to the Hula Bowl.
Ready to put in work 💪 @DonteKent1 pic.twitter.com/GeFyj1IfFG
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2025
Two other Central Michigan players earned NFL training camp invites including center Dominic Serapiglia III (Pittsburgh Steelers) and offensive lineman Brayden Swartout (Indianapolis Colts).
Serapiglia, a Jefferson Hills/Pittsburgh, Pa. native, concluded his career by starting 24 consecutive games at center. Prior to the season, the College Football Network All-MAC honorable mention selection was nominated for two national community service awards (AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerfel Trophy) and was a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. In his career at CMU and Southeastern Louisiana, Serapiglia has played in 50 games with 37 career starts on the offensive line (24 at CMU, 13 at SELU). Serapiglia graduated from CMU with his MBA.
An Essexville, Mich. native, Swartout is a two-time All-MAC selection. He was named an All-MAC Second Team honoree after starting 11 games at right tackle in 2024. He was part of a CMU offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks for 171 yards. Over his four-year career, Swartout has seen action in 40 games, starting 36, including 29 consecutive starts at one point. Swartout was invited to compete in the upcoming Hula Bowl. He also served as a team captain in five games and is a Marketing Professional Sales major.
A Flossmoor, Ill. native, linebacker Justin Whiteside signed with the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger Cats. Whiteside played in 59 games with 35 starts, totaled 214 tackles (117 solo) with 23.5 tackles for loss for 82 yards, 6.0 sacks for 44 yards, one interception, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. A four-year letterman, Whiteside is a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree (2023 and 2024).
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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