Jesse Shimbi Luketa Bio
Jesse Shimbi Luketa (born January 15, 1999) is a Canadian professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, he was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He has since spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and, as of early 2026, is a member of the New England Patriots.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in Ottawa, Luketa built his reputation at Penn State as a versatile defender who could line up at linebacker or defensive end. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 253 pounds, he is known for his special-teams reliability and growing role on defense at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Jesse Shimbi Luketa was born on January 15, 1999, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in the Heron Gate neighborhood of Ottawa, Ontario, in a single-parent household. His mother immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and she raised Luketa in Canada before he pursued opportunities in the United States.
At the age of 14, Luketa left Canada to attend Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he completed his final three years of high school. The move marked a major step in his development as a football player and as a young man preparing for the rigors of NCAA competition.
By the end of his high school career, Luketa had become a highly regarded recruit, earning a four-star rating and drawing scholarship offers from more than 40 college programs. He ultimately chose to continue his football journey at Penn State, one of the most tradition-rich programs in the Big Ten Conference.
Path to American Football
Luketa’s transition to American football accelerated when he enrolled at Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania. Playing against stronger U.S. high school competition helped sharpen his skills and introduced him to the pace and physicality of the American game. His four-star recruit status reflected years of steady progress in the sport.
At Penn State, Luketa joined a defensive program known for producing NFL-caliber linebackers and edge rushers. He appeared mostly on special teams during his freshman season, using that year to adjust to the speed of the college game while adding size and strength. Coaches trusted him with a limited but disciplined role as he learned the Nittany Lions’ defensive system.
As a sophomore, Luketa earned a larger defensive role, recording 24 tackles and breaking up four passes. By his junior year he had been named a team captain, finishing second on the squad with 59 tackles to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and three passes broken up. His combination of leadership and production set the stage for a strong senior season.
Jesse Shimbi Luketa Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Luketa’s college career at Penn State spanned the 2018 through 2021 seasons. He spent his earliest campaigns developing on special teams, a path that helped him transition from a Canadian high school prospect into a contributor in one of the most physical conferences in college football. Coaches praised his work ethic and his willingness to take on the unglamorous assignments that shape strong defensive units.
By his senior season, Luketa had expanded his role to include snaps at both linebacker and defensive end, showcasing the versatility that would later appeal to NFL scouts. He was recognized for his senior campaign with Third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021, capping his college career with one of the conference’s most respected individual awards. Shortly after the season ended, he announced that he would declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft and Arizona Cardinals Era (2022–2025)
Jesse Shimbi Luketa was selected in the seventh round, 256th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. The same year, he was also taken in the second round, 20th overall, of the 2022 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Redblacks as a territorial selection, reflecting his status as one of the top Canadian prospects in his class. He chose to pursue his opportunity in the NFL, joining the Cardinals to begin his professional career.
His first NFL season was a whirlwind. Luketa was waived by the Cardinals on August 30, 2022, signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, and promoted back to the active roster on September 27, 2022. He appeared in games as a rotational defender and core special-teams player, earning a reputation for his energy on coverage units. A memorable off-field moment came late in the 2022 season, when, while recovering from dental surgery, Luketa contacted veteran teammate J. J. Watt with a slurred voicemail asking for a signed jersey, a story that both later laughed about publicly.
Luketa continued to develop in Arizona, and in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season he recorded the first forced fumble of his career in a 24–23 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Through the 2025 season he had accumulated 35 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in his Cardinals career, establishing himself as a reliable depth piece and special-teams contributor.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025)
On November 18, 2025, Jesse Shimbi Luketa signed with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new defensive scheme and a chance to showcase his skills on a contender in the NFC.
His time with the Rams allowed him to continue refining his craft as a linebacker and edge defender while contributing on special teams. Although his stint in Los Angeles was brief, it kept him in the NFL mix heading into the next league year and set the stage for his next move.
New England Patriots Era (2026–Present)
On March 5, 2026, Jesse Shimbi Luketa signed a reserve/futures contract with the New England Patriots, securing his place on the team’s offseason roster. The contract gives him a clear path to compete for a roster spot in training camp and an opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams under the Patriots’ defensive staff.
For Luketa, the move to New England represents another chance to build on four years of professional experience. He enters the Patriots organization as a versatile defender whose special-teams background, leadership experience, and steady development at linebacker and defensive end make him a candidate to carve out a longer NFL role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although football players do not have a driving style in the racing sense, Luketa is recognized for a physical, downhill approach at the line of scrimmage. His listed size of 6 feet 3 inches and 253 pounds allows him to play both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, and his special-teams background has built a reputation for toughness, leverage, and reliable tackling in space.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most talked-about moments of Luketa’s early NFL career came after the 2022 season, when his post-dental-surgery voicemail to J. J. Watt went viral in team circles. On the field, his first career forced fumble in 2024 against the San Francisco 49ers stood as a milestone, along with his Third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 and his selection in both the 2022 NFL and CFL Drafts.
Jesse Shimbi Luketa Career Wins
Across his professional career, Jesse Shimbi Luketa has contributed to team victories primarily as a rotational defender and special-teams player rather than a headline stat-sheet leader. His win column has grown steadily since his 2022 debut, and his reliability on coverage units has helped stabilize those phases of the game for his teams.
NFL Highlights
Luketa’s verified NFL resume through the 2025 season includes 35 total tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. His first career forced fumble came in a dramatic 24–23 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 of the 2024 season, one of the most memorable results of his Cardinals tenure.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his defensive production, Luketa has been a consistent presence on special teams, where his tackling and pursuit have helped flip field position in close games. His 2021 Third-team All-Big Ten selection stands as his most decorated individual performance to date, while his status as a 2022 NFL Draft pick and CFL Draft selection underline his standing as one of the notable Canadian players of his generation.
Jesse Shimbi Luketa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jesse Shimbi Luketa was raised in a single-parent household by his mother, who immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His family’s journey from Central Africa to Canada, and eventually to the United States for his football development, has shaped his path to the NFL.
Personal Life
Luketa grew up in Ottawa’s Heron Gate neighborhood before moving to Erie, Pennsylvania, at age 14 to attend Mercyhurst Preparatory School. He maintains ties to his Canadian roots and is widely recognized in Ottawa football circles as a hometown success story. Detailed information about his marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Jesse Shimbi Luketa’s 2025 season began with the Arizona Cardinals, where he continued in his familiar role as a depth linebacker and core special-teams contributor. Early in the year he added to his career totals, pushing his verified NFL numbers toward the 35 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble mark recorded by the end of the campaign.
Midway through the 2025 season, on November 18, Luketa signed with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad, giving him a late-season opportunity in a new defensive environment. The move allowed him to showcase his versatility on practice-squad reps while remaining available for elevation to the active roster.
Looking ahead, Luketa’s career arc pointed toward a reserve/futures contract and a fresh chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp. His combination of size, positional flexibility, and special-teams value made him a steady professional whose 2025 experience set the stage for his next chapter in the NFL.
