Keeanu Benton
Current teamPittsburgh Steelers
Number95
PositionNose tackle
Birth dateJuly 17, 2001 (age 25)
Birth placeChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in4
Weight lbs309
High schoolJoseph A. Craig
CollegeWisconsin (2019–2022)
Draftyear2023
Draftround2
Draftpick49
Pastteams
StatusActive
Highlights
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Total tackles
Statvalue 1123
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statvalue 27.5
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statvalue 33
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statvalue 41
Statlabel 5Pass deflections
Statvalue 59
Statlabel 6Interceptions
Statvalue 61
Statlabel 7Defensive touchdowns

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 for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life

Benton grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and attended Joseph A. Craig High School, where he competed in football and wrestling.[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 college football at Wisconsin from 2019 to 2022.[4] He 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.[5][6] He played in seven games and made seven starts at nose tackle during his sophomore season.[7] 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.[8] He was named Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2022.[9]

Statistics

SeasonTeamGPTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
CmbSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgTDPDFFFR
2019Wisconsin812842.0000.00000
2020Wisconsin79540.0000.00020
2021Wisconsin122411132.5000.00202
2022Wisconsin123620164.5000.00200
Career398144379.00001422

Professional career

Benton was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.[10] On June 23, 2023, Benton signed a four-year rookie contract with the Steelers.[11] 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.[12]

On December 8, 2024, Benton recorded his first NFL interception, off Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in a 27–14 Steelers win.[13]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2023PIT1793616201.01000.000220000
2024PIT17143616201.0211111.0110600100
2025PIT17175125265.56000.000110000
Career514012357667.5911111.0110930100

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2023PIT105140.00000.000000000
2024PIT114220.00000.000000000
2025PIT114131.01000.000010000
Career3213491.01000.000010000

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. ^ "Keeanu Benton | Football". Wisconsin Badgers
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Vantress, David (August 6, 2021). "Janesville Craig grad Keeanu Benton ready to dominate for Wisconsin Badgers". The Janesville Gazette. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (December 14, 2021). "Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton likely to return in 2022". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "Keeanu Benton vital to Wisconsin defensive line in final season". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 27, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Big Ten Conference Unveils Football All-Conference Teams for Defense, Special Teams and Select Individual Honors". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. November 29, 2022. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  10. ^ Varley, Teresa (April 28, 2023). "Steelers select Keeanu Benton in the second round". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  11. ^ La Rose, Adam (June 23, 2023). "Steelers Sign Round 2 DT Keeanu Benton". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  12. ^ "Keeanu Benton 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
  13. ^ Radcliffe, J. R. (December 9, 2024). "Wisconsinite Keeanu Benton, at 6-4 and 309 pounds, had one of the highlight-reel plays of the week with interception for Steelers". Yahoo Sports