Jesse Luketa Bio
Jesse Shimbi Luketa (born January 15, 1999) is a Canadian professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions before being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft. Known for his versatility on defense and his special-teams work, Luketa has built a career as a hard-hitting linebacker and edge defender at the professional level.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Luketa brings a rare combination of size and athleticism to his position. After beginning his NFL journey in Arizona, he joined the Los Angeles Rams in November 2025. His path from Edmonton, Alberta, to the professional ranks reflects years of disciplined development and steady improvement.
Early Life and Background
Jesse Shimbi Luketa was born on January 15, 1999, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He later grew up in the Heron Gate neighborhood of Ottawa, Ontario, where he was raised in a single-parent household. His mother immigrated to Canada from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, instilling in him a strong sense of resilience and work ethic that shaped his character from an early age.
At the age of 14, Luketa left Ottawa to attend Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he completed his final three years of high school. The move allowed him to access stronger football competition and a more visible recruiting platform in the United States. He became a four-star recruit during his high school years, drawing attention from major college programs across the country.
By the end of his high school career, Luketa had received more than 40 scholarship offers from collegiate programs. He ultimately committed to Penn State, choosing the Nittany Lions for their tradition of developing NFL-ready linebackers. His recruitment showcased his athletic upside and the respect he had earned from evaluators at the prep level.
Path to American Football
Luketa’s introduction to organized football came through youth and high school programs in Canada and later in Pennsylvania. His time at Mercyhurst Preparatory School sharpened his skills against top-tier American competition, and his physical profile drew comparisons to professional edge defenders. The transition from Canadian youth football to the American high school game helped him adapt to faster pace and more complex schemes.
As a four-star recruit, Luketa had his choice of powerhouse college programs. He selected Penn State, where the coaching staff envisioned him as a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions. His commitment also positioned him on a clear development path toward the NFL, where linebackers with his frame and motor are highly valued.
Beyond football, Luketa’s upbringing in a tight-knit immigrant household taught him discipline and accountability. Those values translated directly to his preparation as a student-athlete. By the time he enrolled at Penn State, he had already developed the habits needed to succeed at a major college program.
Jesse Luketa Career
Early Career at Penn State (2017–2021)
During his freshman season at Penn State, Luketa appeared mostly on special teams, using the year to adjust to the speed and physicality of Big Ten football. As a sophomore, his role expanded on defense, and he produced 24 tackles along with four passes broken up. Those numbers signaled his growing comfort with the college game.
Heading into his junior year, teammates selected Luketa as a team captain, a clear sign of his leadership and respect within the locker room. He finished that season ranked second on the team with 59 tackles, while also adding 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and three passes broken up. His ability to impact both the run game and passing game made him a focal point of the Nittany Lions’ defense.
Penn State Senior Season and 2022 NFL Draft
As a senior, Luketa played both linebacker and defensive end, showcasing the positional flexibility that had long intrigued NFL scouts. He was named to the third-team All-Big Ten Conference in 2021, capping his college career with one of the conference’s notable individual honors. Following the season, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, where he was projected as a late-round prospect with special-teams value.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2022–2025)
Luketa was selected in the final round, 256th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He was also ranked as the number two Canadian prospect ahead of the 2022 CFL Draft, where the Ottawa Redblacks selected him in the second round as a territorial pick. The Cardinals waived him on August 30, 2022, but signed him to their practice squad the following day, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 27, 2022.
One memorable moment during his time in Arizona came after Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season, when Luketa underwent dental surgery. Still recovering, he reached out to teammate J. J. Watt via a voice memo and photo, asking for a signed jersey following Watt’s retirement announcement. Both later laughed about the exchange in interviews with the press, highlighting Luketa’s personality and the camaraderie in the Cardinals’ locker room.
In Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, Luketa recorded the first forced fumble of his NFL career in a 24–23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The play underscored his development as a playmaker on defense and his ability to contribute in high-leverage moments.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2025–Present)
On November 18, 2025, Luketa signed with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad, marking a fresh chapter in his professional career. The move gave him an opportunity to contribute to a contending franchise known for its defensive creativity. His versatility and special-teams background made him a natural fit for the Rams’ system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Luketa’s game is built on physicality, football intelligence, and positional versatility. He has lined up at both linebacker and defensive end, using his 6-foot-3 frame and 245-pound build to hold up at the line of scrimmage. His ability to contribute on special teams has been a consistent strength throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Luketa counts his selection as a team captain at Penn State, his third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021, and his first NFL forced fumble against the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. His late-round selection by the Cardinals in 2022 and his subsequent signing with the Rams in 2025 also stand as key milestones in his professional journey.
Jesse Luketa Career Wins
While individual sack and interception totals are not fully verified across his career, Luketa’s win contributions include the Cardinals’ 24–23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season. That game marked his first career forced fumble and helped secure a divisional win for Arizona. His selection as a team captain and his All-Big Ten honor in college reflect his consistent impact on winning programs.
College Highlights
Across his four seasons at Penn State, Luketa developed into one of the team’s most reliable defenders. He posted 59 tackles as a junior and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. His leadership as a team captain further cemented his legacy within the Nittany Lions program.
Professional Highlights
In the NFL, Luketa’s most notable professional moment came with his first career forced fumble against the 49ers in 2024. Joining the Rams’ practice squad in November 2025 provided another meaningful opportunity to extend his career.
Jesse Luketa Family
Family Background and 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. Her journey and sacrifices played a central role in shaping his discipline and drive. He grew up alongside family in Ottawa’s Heron Gate neighborhood before relocating to Pennsylvania for high school.
Personal Life
Luketa maintains strong ties to his Canadian roots, having grown up in Ottawa and continuing to identify with his hometown community. His background as the son of an immigrant has been a defining influence on his character and work ethic. He keeps his personal life largely private, focusing public attention on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a turning point for Luketa, as he signed with the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad on November 18, 2025. The opportunity provided him with a fresh start on a roster known for its defensive innovation and championship aspirations. His familiarity with multiple defensive positions gave the Rams additional flexibility on game-day rotations.
While practice-squad roles typically limit regular-season statistical output, Luketa’s path to the active roster remained open throughout the second half of the season. His prior NFL experience with the Cardinals, including special-teams reps and a forced fumble in 2024, positioned him as a reliable depth piece. The Rams’ investment in his development reflected their confidence in his long-term upside.
Looking ahead, Luketa’s combination of size, versatility, and special-teams experience makes him a candidate for an expanded role in future seasons. His journey from Edmonton to the NFL underscores the steady progress of a player who has consistently earned opportunities through preparation and effort.