2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Luke Stento, CB, Adrian College

• Name: Luke Stento
• Position: CB/ATH
• College: Adrian College
• Height: 6’0
• Weight: 195
• Twitter: @LukeStento
• Instagram: @lukestento

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft?

I strive to be a great teammate first foremost, and am willing to do anything or play anywhere for my teammates. Currently, I am a physical corner that plays with the ball skills of a receiver, and I have a high ceiling that I have yet to reach at cornerback. I have only been playing corner since 2023 and I know I have plenty of room to develop and reach my full potential at the position. My best ball is still ahead of me. 

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

This season, we were without or defensive coordinator for our week two game. He had some personal issues that kept him from being present for the game and we were greatly affected by his absence as a whole defense. I grounded myself and continued to play my game despite everyone else being shaken up by his absence, and I had the lone turnover of the game which was my 4th interception in 2 games.

What are your hobbies outside of football?

Outdoors, Golf, Reading, Learning a new skill, and video games

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?

I am able and willing to play any position on all 3 sides of the ball for the sake of my team. I play corner now and have since 2023. I played offense from 2014-2023 (primarily WR but RB as well). I play any position on special teams— front line of KOR (although I returned kicks and punts earlier in my career as well), kickoff I’ve been a contain man as well as safety and gunner, Gunner on punt amongst other experience snapping and being the end man on LOS, punt return I’ve rushed off the edge and have played antigunner. I have the ability to kick a 40 yd fg and am consistent from 30 and in. I hold snaps for FG’s (2016-present). I long and short snapped from 2023-2025. My weak point for SPT skill positions is distance punting but I am accurate in my placement and can create turnover on the ball. I am a versatile player who is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the team and play any position on the field that I am asked to do by my coaches, whatever side of the ball that may be.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

LiveLikeLou ALS Research

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I am someone who thrives when the focus of coaching is development or preparation for an opponent,  regardless of the delivery. I am able to hear the message and not the tone of coaching when it is criticism that I receive, and am able to stack confidence and feel trusted when it is positive feedback I receive. I play my best ball when those around me, both teammates and coaches, trust me and have confidence in me. I am able to handle the times when I may be coached hard for mistakes and remain confident no matter the circumstance.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

Riley Dunbar is the most underrated teammate on my team. He is our Z and WR2 behind our X Braiden Whitaker who is also a stud. That being said, Riley just hasn’t had the same opportunities yet. Adrian is now his third school (First school closed, second school was an opponent on last years schedule that we beat handedly), and he is just getting started here. Riley is taller receiver but has the athleticism of a smaller receiver. He has strong hands, stacks DB’s well, shifty, bouncy, and rarely drops a pass even in practice. The best trait about Riley however is that he is a loyal, selfless friend and teammate who gives great effort daily for the sake of the team, not himself.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why did you choose them? 

1. Jesus- However one may view him how could you not want to meet the most famous man in all of history?
2. Michael Jackson- Hometown hero from the 219 and arguably the greatest musician of all time.
3. Devin Hester- My favorite player of all time and one the main reasons I love football as much as I do. Grew up watching him and tried to emulate his game in any way I could. Now that I have played as much football as I have I see a lot of myself in him— a guy who has played all 3 sides of the ball and is a dangerous playmaker that can make something happen at any given moment.

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason?

I think an injury would be the most likely reason I would be benched tomorrow.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

1. Wake up
2. Prayer
3. Stretch & Rollout
4. Team walk thru
5. Team meal (Review notes on opponent for last time)
6. Free- (Normatecs, stretch, roll out, band work, snack, music, nap, relax, whatever I need on that given day) 
7. Team Meeting
8. Walk
9. Dress & Tape
10. Team Warmup
11. Take victory 

What is your favorite snack food?

Fruit of all kinds but pears or peaches specifically

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in?

I fit best in a 4-2-5/4-3 defense that can play in a multitude of shows with a situationally focused play call. I thrive in 1 high looks playing man coverage and cover 3, but my favorite to play is a hard cover 2 where I can get my hands on the receiver and own the rep from the beginning. I am comfortable and confident in my man skills both off and press. I feel the most confident in the red zone when I am able to play man coverage or a flat.

What is your degree in?

Franklin College B.A. Communications ‘25 Adrian College M.A. Sports Management ‘27 (Spring Grad)

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check?

A gift for my parents!

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

In the first game of this season against Ohio Northern, we were getting drove on right before half with the score 3-0 in our favor. The offense’s drive gets down to the red zone and on the last play of the first half we are in quarters on defense. My #1 receiver runs in and I exit out to a corner coming from the #2 receiver to the back pylon. I get in position and see the ball thrown to an under route coming towards our Sam linebacker and Mike who had this receiver viced for a tackle. I begin pursuing and see him break through the middle of their vice and now I am heads up 1 on 1 with him. I get into a good position and make contact with him but lose the battle. We go into half down 7-3 after playing a great first half defensively. At this point I had missed out on a potential pick 6 and only got a PBU instead in a play where I just reacted to the ball being thrown but I did rebound and get the first turnover and interception of our season and we had been playing great as a whole defensive unit. As I walk into the locker room I see our offense, who was having issues converting in the red zone early, looking down on themselves. I simply told them all that we have their backs and not to worry about a thing. We come back out for the second half and I was in a zone where I felt extremely free and confident that we will get the job done no matter what. Our offense scored and put us up 10-7, which stood for a majority of the second half until about halfway through the 4th. I then had interceptions on back to back drives with 3 total in our debut. We went on to win 17-10 against Ohio Northern who has since beaten all three of their OAC opponents and hasn’t lost another game. 

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

Chill everyday playlist is pretty much always MJ or 90’s R&B something like

• Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone, or Rock With You..
• Game Day though I need something more like –
• Chief Keef- I Don’t Like 

Obviously the bag is deeper than that but that’s just the three songs I feel best represent the two vibes I normally go for with the music I listen to in different scenarios.