Jesse Luketa

Jesse Luketa's Biography

Jesse Shimbi Luketa, a Canadian-born professional football player, was born on January 15, 1999. The talented linebacker plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL started out at Penn State, where he played college football, but his life story began in Edmonton, Alberta.

Luketa was raised from birth in the sprawling city of Edmonton and then grew up in Ottawa’s Heron Gate neighborhood. Despite the challenges that came with being raised in a single-parent house, Luketa’s mother, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was a tremendous source of strength for him. Her determination and perseverance played a significant role in shaping him into the man he would become.

At the tender age of 14, Luketa made the bold move to attend Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania for his junior and senior high school years. This transition, while undoubtedly challenging, was an instrumental part of Luketa’s journey into the realm of professional football.

Luketa’s high school football career was undeniably impressive; he was a force to be reckoned with and garnered attention from numerous college recruiters. As a testament to his exceptional talent, he was awarded a four-star rating and received over 40 scholarship offers. However, Penn State ultimately got the nod, setting the stage for a phenomenal college football journey.

In his freshman season, Luketa majorly contributed to the teams’ Special Teams Units. His commitment to the game and increased mastery of his linebacker position saw him secure more playing time in his sophomore year. That year, Luketa made 24 significant tackles and successfully broke up four passes.

Luketa’s junior year saw him assume the critical role of the team’s captain. Displaying exceptional leadership and skill, Luketa finished the season with a commendable 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and three broken passes. This performance solidified his reputation as an indispensable member of his team.

As a senior, Luketa showcased his versatility by assuming dual roles as both a linebacker and a defensive end. These remarkable efforts did not go unnoticed, and he was named to the prestigious third-team All-Big Ten Conference. At the end of the season, Luketa expressed his intention to leverage his experience and enter the 2022 NFL draft.

Luck was on Luketa’s side during the 2022 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals selected him as the valued 256th overall pick in the final round. Luketa was also listed as the #2 Canadian prospect ahead of the 2022 CFL Draft. Following a territorial draft pick, the Ottawa Redblacks capitalized on his talent by choosing him in the second round as their 20th overall pick.

Luketa’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals faced a minor setback on August 30, 2022, when he was waived off the first team. However, demonstrating their faith in his abilities, the Cardinals signed him to the practice squad the very next day. His perseverance culminated in a promotion to the active roster on September 27.

A minor hiccup occurred for Luketa during Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season, when he had to undergo dental surgery. However, this did not keep him from engaging in a good-humored exchange with J. J. Watt, a retired teammate, over a signed jersey. This humorous incident added a touch of light-heartedness to Luketa’s ongoing football career journey.