Keeanu Benton

Last updated

Keeanu Benton
No. 95 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (2001-07-17) July 17, 2001 (age 23)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:309 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school: Joseph A. Craig (Janesville)
College: Wisconsin (2019–2022)
NFL draft: 2023  / round: 2 / pick: 49
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024
Total tackles:67
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:8
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Keeanu Kyrie Benton (born July 17, 2001) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin.

Contents

Early life

Benton grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and attended Joseph A. Craig High School. [1] As a senior, he made 75 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery. [2] Benton committed to play college football at Wisconsin over an offer from Iowa. [3]

College career

Benton played in 13 games and made six starts at nose tackle as a freshman and finished the season with 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. [4] [5] He played in seven games and made seven starts at nose tackle during his sophomore season. [6] He was named second team All-Big Ten Conference as a junior after making 25 tackles with five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. [7]

Statistics

SeasonTeamGPTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
CmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgTDPDFFFR
2019 Wisconsin 812842.0000.00000
2020 Wisconsin 79540.0000.00020
2021 Wisconsin 122411132.5000.00202
2022 Wisconsin 123620164.5000.00200
Career 398144379.00001422

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄4 in
(1.92 m)		309 lb
(140 kg)		33+7⁄8 in
(0.86 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		5.08 s1.79 s2.95 s4.65 s7.34 s29.5 in
(0.75 m)		9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		25 reps
All values from NFL Combine [8] [9]

Benton was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. [10] As a rookie, Benton appeared in 17 games and started nine. He finished with one sack, 36 total tackles (16 solo), two passes defended, and two forced fumbles. [11]

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References

  1. ↑ Barry, John (January 27, 2020). "Craig graduate Keeanu Benton bucked the odds and played key role as a true freshman at Wisconsin". Janesville Gazette. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ Temple, Jesse (April 8, 2019). "Imposing, athletic and eager: Why DT Keeanu Benton could see the field at Wisconsin sooner rather than later". The Athletic . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  3. ↑ Galloway, Jason (May 12, 2018). "Janesville Craig defensive tackle Keeanu Benton reportedly commits to Badgers". APNews.com . Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ Galloway, Jason (August 5, 2019). "Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton working to make himself game ready as true freshman". Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ Vantress, David (August 6, 2021). "Janesville Craig grad Keeanu Benton ready to dominate for Wisconsin Badgers". The Janesville Gazette. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ Potrykus, Jeff (December 14, 2021). "Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton likely to return in 2022". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Keeanu Benton vital to Wisconsin defensive line in final season". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Keeanu Benton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Keeanu Benton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ Varley, Teresa (April 28, 2023). "Steelers select Keeanu Benton in the second round". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Keeanu Benton 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
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