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 earned multiple All-Big Ten honors before being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 309 pounds, Benton has quickly developed into a key contributor along the Steelers’ defensive front.
Since entering the league, Benton has appeared in regular-season games for Pittsburgh and built a reputation as a run-stopping interior defender with pass-rush upside. His combination of size, strength, and technique has positioned him as a young building block for the franchise.
Early Life and Background
Keeanu Kyrie Benton was born on July 17, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois, though he 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, contact-driven style of play.
As a senior at Craig, Benton was a productive two-way defender. He recorded 75 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery, production that attracted college recruiters. He ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Wisconsin, choosing the Badgers over an offer from in-state rival Iowa.
Path to American Football
Benton’s path to a college football scholarship began in the wrestling room, where he developed the leverage, balance, and hand control that later translated to the defensive line. His high school senior campaign gave him the production and exposure needed to land a spot in a Power Five program.
At Wisconsin, Benton joined one of the Big Ten’s most physical defensive traditions. The Badgers’ reputation for developing NFL-ready nose tackles gave him an ideal developmental environment, and his progression from a rotational freshman to a multi-year starter prepared him for a professional career.
Keeanu Benton Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Benton played college football at Wisconsin from 2019 through 2022. As a freshman in 2019, 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. That production as a true freshman hinted at his long-term potential.
During his sophomore season, he appeared in seven games and made seven starts at nose tackle. Although his playing time was limited, the experience reinforced his role as an interior anchor within the Badgers’ defensive scheme.
Wisconsin Breakthrough (2021–2022)
As a junior in 2021, Benton broke through as a full-time starter and was named Second-team All-Big Ten. That season he recorded 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, showcasing a more disruptive pass-rushing element to his game.
In 2022, he was recognized as Third-team All-Big Ten, capping his Wisconsin career with back-to-back all-conference honors. Over four college seasons, he developed into a draft-caliber nose tackle known for his strength, leverage, and ability to occupy multiple blockers.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)
Benton was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. On June 23, 2023, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the team. As a rookie, he appeared in 17 games and made nine starts, finishing with one sack, 36 total tackles (16 solo), two passes defended, and two forced fumbles, a strong debut for an interior defender.
On December 8, 2024, Benton recorded his first NFL interception, picking off Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in a 27–14 Steelers win. The play highlighted his continued development as a complete defender capable of impacting the passing game, not just the run game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Benton is a classic two-gap nose tackle with the size, length, and lower-body strength to anchor against double-teams. His wrestling background shows up in his hand technique and leverage, while his foot quickness has allowed him to develop into a reliable pocket-pusher on passing downs. He projects as a long-term starter who can both stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Benton’s young career include his 49th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, his first NFL sack as a rookie in 2023, and his first NFL interception against Jameis Winston on December 8, 2024. Through his first two professional seasons, he has also accumulated 7.5 career sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery, per his NFL statistics as of 2025.
Keeanu Benton Career Wins
As an interior defensive lineman, Keeanu Benton’s statistical wins are measured in disrupted plays rather than race finishes. Across his NFL career through 2025, he has logged 123 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 9 pass deflections, and 1 interception.
NFL Highlights
Benton’s first NFL interception came against Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns on December 8, 2024, in a 27–14 Steelers victory. His rookie season featured 17 games played and 9 starts, with his first NFL sack arriving during that debut campaign. By 2025, he had begun to settle into a featured role along Pittsburgh’s defensive line.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Benton’s All-Big Ten selections in 2021 (Second-team) and 2022 (Third-team) stand out as his top individual honors. In high school at Joseph A. Craig, his senior totals of 75 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery marked him as a college-ready prospect.
Keeanu Benton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Keeanu Benton’s parents and family background is limited. His upbringing in Janesville, Wisconsin, and his participation in football and wrestling at Joseph A. Craig High School reflect a strong athletic foundation, but specific family details have not been widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Keeanu Kyrie Benton was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin. He maintains a public presence on social media, including an account on X under the handle @keeanu_benton. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Keeanu Benton enters his third professional season with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a foundational piece of the team’s defensive line. His growing statistical totals, including 123 career tackles and 7.5 career sacks as of 2025, reflect his continued development into a full-time starting nose tackle.
The 2025 campaign gives Benton the opportunity to build on a 2024 season that included his first career interception against the Cleveland Browns. With experience as a starter now established, expectations are for him to play a heavier snap count and take on a larger role in Pittsburgh’s run defense and interior pass rush.
Long-term, Benton’s four-year rookie contract runs through 2026, giving the Steelers a clear runway to evaluate him as a core defender. His combination of leverage, power, and emerging playmaking ability positions him as a key figure in Pittsburgh’s defensive plans for the 2025 season and beyond.
