Stukes is a battle-tested nickel corner who brings good size, a physical edge, and the versatility to line up across the defensive formation. A sixth-year senior and five-year contributor for the Wildcats, he’s a former walk-on who finished his career as a team captain. He brings experience at multiple spots on defense, including cornerback, slot corner, and safety. He’s sticky in coverage, flashing the ability to flip his hips to stay in phase with a receiver down the field. He brings good instincts to the secondary, anticipating routes and timing his break on the ball to get a piece of the pass. He has good ball skills and a feel for when to turn his head and look back; he boasts seven career picks, including four in 2025, and 28 career passes defensed. Stukes shows good makeup speed when he loses a step or stumbles, closing on the ball quickly while affecting the catch point by raking his arms across the receiver’s hands. He’s physical and aggressive in the run game and is not afraid to mix it up as a tackler, flashing the ability to stay low and drive through his target. He stacks and sheds blockers, holds his gap, and turns runners back inside. He flies in on the blitz like a blur. 

Stukes is tall and plays a bit too upright when he backpedals, which can make him slow to break on the route or the ball. There are times when he takes poor angles in run support, coming downhill too aggressively and letting the ballcarrier slip by. He missed eight games due to an ACL tear in 2024. He’s an older prospect who will turn 25 as a rookie.