Keeanu Benton

Total tackles:	56
Sacks:	1.0
Forced fumbles:	2
Fumble recoveries:	1
Pass deflections:	7
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Keeanu Benton
No. 95 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:	Nose tackle
Personal information
Born:	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
	Pittsburgh Steelers (2023–present);
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
	Second-team All-Big Ten (2021); Third-team All-Big Ten (2022);
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Total tackles:
Total tackles:	56
Sacks:	1.0
Forced fumbles:	2
Fumble recoveries:	1
Pass deflections:	7
	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.

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

Season	Team	GP	Tackles				Interceptions					Fumbles
Season	Team	GP	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FF	FR
2019	Wisconsin	8	12	8	4	2.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
2020	Wisconsin	7	9	5	4	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	2	0
2021	Wisconsin	12	24	11	13	2.5	0	0	0.0	0	2	0	2
2022	Wisconsin	12	36	20	16	4.5	0	0	0.0	0	2	0	0
Career		39	81	44	37	9.0	0	0	0	1	4	2	2

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-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 s	1.79 s	2.95 s	4.65 s	7.34 s	29.5 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]

References

^ 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.
^ 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.
^ Galloway, Jason (May 12, 2018). "Janesville Craig defensive tackle Keeanu Benton reportedly commits to Badgers". APNews.com. Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
^ 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.
^ Vantress, David (August 6, 2021). "Janesville Craig grad Keeanu Benton ready to dominate for Wisconsin Badgers". The Janesville Gazette. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
^ Potrykus, Jeff (December 14, 2021). "Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton likely to return in 2022". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
^ "Keeanu Benton vital to Wisconsin defensive line in final season". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
^ "Keeanu Benton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Keeanu Benton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
^ Varley, Teresa (April 28, 2023). "Steelers select Keeanu Benton in the second round". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
^ "Keeanu Benton 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.

External links

[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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v t e Pittsburgh Steelers roster
Active	2 Justin Fields 3 Russell Wilson 4 Kyle Allen 6 Patrick Queen 8 Corliss Waitman 9 Chris Boswell 11 Van Jefferson 13 Scotty Miller 14 George Pickens 15 Ben Skowronek 18 Mike Williams 19 Calvin Austin 20 Cameron Sutton 22 Najee Harris 23 Damontae Kazee 24 Joey Porter Jr. 25 DeShon Elliott 26 Donte Jackson 28 Miles Killebrew 30 Jaylen Warren 31 Beanie Bishop 35 Jonathan Ward 39 Minkah Fitzpatrick 41 Payton Wilson 42 James Pierre 44 Tyler Matakevich 46 Christian Kuntz 49 Jeremiah Moon 50 Elandon Roberts 51 Nick Herbig 54 Zach Frazier 56 Alex Highsmith 62 Ryan McCollum 64 Max Scharping 65 Dan Moore 66 Mason McCormick 67 Calvin Anderson 73 Isaac Seumalo 74 Spencer Anderson 77 Broderick Jones 80 Darnell Washington 81 MyCole Pruitt 83 Connor Heyward 84 Cordarrelle Patterson 88 Pat Freiermuth 90 T. J. Watt 91 Preston Smith 92 Isaiahh Loudermilk 93 Mark Robinson 94 Dean Lowry 95 Keeanu Benton 97 Cameron Heyward 99 Larry Ogunjobi
Practice squad	5 D'Shawn Jamison 16 Quez Watkins 17 Jamal Agnew 17 Ayo Oyelola (Int.) 18 Anthony Averett (Inj.) 33 Aaron Shampklin 34 Zyon Gilbert (Inj.) 37 Eric Rowe 40 Devin Harper 48 Ade Ogundeji 53 Eku Leota 60 Dylan Cook 69 Domenique Davis 72 Doug Nester 79 Jacob Slade 85 Matt Sokol 89 Brandon Johnson 96 Breiden Fehoko
Reserve lists	5 Cameron Johnston (IR) 10 Roman Wilson (IR) 21 C. J. Henderson (IR) 27 Cory Trice (IR) 29 Ryan Watts (IR) 33 David Perales (IR) 55 Cole Holcomb (PUP) 57 Montravius Adams (IR) 61 Logan Lee (IR) 71 Nate Herbig (IR) 76 Troy Fautanu (IR) 78 James Daniels (IR) 98 DeMarvin Leal (IR)