Keeanu Benton Bio
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, where he developed into one of the conference’s most disruptive interior defensive linemen. Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Benton has continued his development at the professional level, contributing as a run-stopper and pass-rusher on the Steelers’ defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Keeanu Kyrie Benton was born on July 17, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. He attended Joseph A. Craig High School, where he competed in both football and wrestling, two sports that helped shape his physical style of play along the defensive line. As a senior, Benton made 75 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery, drawing attention from college recruiters across the Midwest.
Coming out of high school, Benton was regarded as a promising interior defensive lineman prospect. He ultimately committed to play college football at Wisconsin over an offer from Iowa, choosing to remain in his adopted home state. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 310 pounds according to his professional listing, Benton possessed the size and frame that college programs look for in a nose tackle prospect.
Path to American Football
Benton’s path to American Football began in Janesville, where his combination of wrestling background and football experience gave him a foundation in leverage, hand placement, and physicality. Those traits translated quickly when he arrived at the University of Wisconsin, a program known for producing tough, technically sound defensive linemen. His development in Madison set the stage for a productive four-year collegiate career.
Keeanu Benton Career
College Career (2019–2022)
Benton played college football at Wisconsin from 2019 to 2022, steadily increasing his role within the Badgers’ defensive rotation. As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games and made six starts at nose tackle, finishing the season with 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. The experience provided valuable playing time and helped him adjust to the speed and physicality of the Big Ten Conference.
During his sophomore season, Benton played in seven games and made seven starts at nose tackle, further establishing himself as a reliable presence in the middle of Wisconsin’s defensive line. As a junior in 2021, he was named Second-Team All-Big Ten after recording 25 tackles with five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. In 2022, he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten recognition, capping his college career as one of the more consistent interior defenders in the conference.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)
Benton was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft, becoming one of the team’s top rookie additions on the defensive side of the ball. On June 23, 2023, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the Steelers, beginning his professional career. As a rookie, Benton appeared in 17 games and started nine, finishing with one sack, 36 total tackles (16 solo), two passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Continuing his development into his second professional season, Benton recorded his first NFL interception on December 8, 2024, picking off Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in a 27–14 Steelers win. The play highlighted his growing awareness and ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks from the nose tackle position.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Benton’s young career came on December 8, 2024, when he recorded his first NFL interception against the Cleveland Browns. Drafted 49th overall in 2023, he quickly became a regular contributor on the Steelers’ defensive line, appearing in 17 games with nine starts during his rookie season. His selection in the second round reflected the Steelers’ confidence in his long-term potential as an interior defensive lineman.
Keeanu Benton Career Highlights
Collegiate and Professional Achievements
Across his college career at Wisconsin, Benton earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and Third-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022. He appeared in 13 games as a freshman, posting 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks, and continued to progress each subsequent season. As a junior, he recorded 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, cementing his status as one of the top interior linemen in the conference.
In the NFL, Benton was a Day 1 contributor for the Pittsburgh Steelers after being selected 49th overall in the 2023 draft. His rookie totals of 36 tackles, one sack, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles across 17 games demonstrated his versatility against both the run and the pass. His first career interception in December 2024 added another dimension to his resume as a playmaker on the defensive line.
Keeanu Benton Family
Personal Life
Keeanu Kyrie Benton was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he attended Joseph A. Craig High School. Details about his parents, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in verified sources.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 season, Keeanu Benton enters his third year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the final seasons of his rookie contract. After recording his first NFL interception in late 2024, he looks to build on that momentum and expand his role as a disruptor on the Steelers’ defensive front. With continued experience, he is expected to remain a key piece of Pittsburgh’s interior defensive line rotation.
Benton’s combination of size, strength, and wrestling background gives him the tools to develop into one of the more impactful nose tackles in the league. As he continues to refine his pass-rushing technique and grow within the Steelers’ defensive scheme, his 2025 campaign will be closely watched by the team and its fan base. His progression from a second-round pick to a reliable starter sets the foundation for what the Steelers hope will be a long and productive professional career.