NFL Draft Scout
Featured In/On:
Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Selected: Round 2, Pick 18, Overall Pick 49 by Steelers
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Name: Keeanu Benton
College: Wisconsin
Number: 95
School Bio/Stats Link: HERE
Height: 6-4 Weight: 309
Position: Pos2:
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2023
40 Low: 5.00 40 Time: 5.08 40 High: 5.14
> Projected Round: Stock: 
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Data Scout Notes: X-2-4/12GP-24TT-5TFL-2.5SK4QBH in 21 2022: 3rdC...POutland/PNagurski...2021: 2ndC...2020: NAC
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Combine Results |
Pro Day Results |
Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6036
Weight: 309
Zybek PD3X AKA "Official"
40 Yard Dash (ET): 5.08
40 Yard Dash (HH): 5.12
20 Yard (ET): 2.95
20 Yard (HH): 2.96
10 Yard (ET): 1.74
10 Yard (HH): 1.75
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225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25
Vertical Jump: 29 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.65
3-Cone Drill: 7.34
Projected 5.02
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Dates: 03/23/23
Hand: 09 3/4 Arm: 33 7/8
Wingspan: 81 1/2
Height: 6036
Weight: 309
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash:
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225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:
Position Drills Only
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Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin, Player News
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Nose tackle Keeanu Benton could have turned pro after the 2021 season, his third at Wisconsin. The graduate of Janesville Craig High School chose to return to UW for his senior season for two reasons: To help UW win a Big Ten title and to improve as a pl ayer. UW failed to win the Big Ten West and finished just 4-5 in the Big Ten, but Benton put together his best season with the Badgers and on Friday announced via Twitter he is entering the 2023 NFL draft. Benton could have returned for a fifth season be cause of the COVID year exception. "It's been an honor to be a part of this awesome university for the past four years and I have no regrets about anything I did on or off the field," Benton wrote. "I have become a man at the University of Wisconsin and consider this my second home."Before examining the numbers Benton posted in 2022, remember how well he played in UW's double-overtime loss at Michigan State on Oct. 15. Benton suffered a right-knee injury one week earlier at Northwestern and was l imping throughout the Michigan State game. Yet he recorded five tackles and when he was on the field the Spartans struggled to open running lanes between the tackles. Benton played in all 12 regular-season games and posted 4 1/2 sacks, 10 tackles for los s and 35 total tackles, all personal-best marks at UW. - Journal Sentinel
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023  DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Journal Sentinel
Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here
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Wisconsin fired head coach Paul Chryst on Sunday after a 2-3 start to his eighth season leading the school where he played, in the city where he grew up. The surprising move comes a day after Wisconsin lost at home 34-10 to Illinois and former Badgers co ach Bret Bielema. "This is certainly not a decision that's taken lightly," athletic director Chris McIntosh said at a news conference. "It's not a game-by-game decision. This is a decision that's based on where we're at as a program." Chryst was 67-26 as coach of the Badgers after being hired away from Pittsburgh. But the program has been backsliding. Chryst had double-digit victory seasons in four of his first five years at Wisconsin while winning three Big Ten West titles. The Badgers have gone 15-10 since. "It's a tough time to make a transition, but I felt it was the right time and that's what led me to it," McIntosh said. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was an All-American at Wisconsin, was named interim coach. The 39-year-old former NFL d efensive back has been part of Chryst's staff for seven seasons and is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country. - AP College Football
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: AP College Football
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TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 2: 40. Keeanu Benton, rJr, DT, Wisconsin, 6-3, 317, 1-2,..Looking pretty good again by holding up well against guard Christian Hilborn, among others, on the inside, Benton finished with one official tackle in a 17-14 l oss to Washington State, which was held to only 200 yards passing and 53 rushing. Previous week, No. 40: Nose tackle Keeanu Benton was one of the Wisconsin team captains in the season-opening, 38-0, victory over Illinois State. The Badgers held the Redbi rds to only 243 total yards, and a mere 57 on the ground. Benton was credited with only two assists but his presence ate up multiple blockers while inside linebacker Maema Njogmeta was free to lead the team with seven tackles, one assist. - Frank Cooney/ NFL Draft Scout
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 1: 40. Keeanu Benton, rJr, DT, Wisconsin, 6-3, 317,...Nose tackle Keeanu Benton was one of the Wisconsin team captains in the season-opening, , 38-0, victory over Illinois State. The Badgers held the Redbirds to only 2 43 total yards, and a mere 57 on the ground. Benton was credited with only two assists but his presence ate up multiple blockers while inside linebacker Maema Njogmeta was free to lead the team with seven tackles, one assist. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Sco ut
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here
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Keeanu Benton spoke with reporters at during media days Lucas Oil Stadium a day after Minnesota, Iowa and Northwestern. His goal is "to disrupt everything I can." "So that people are starting to notice it, I feel like it's alright," Benton said. "I don't really care if you notice it or not. I'm gonna be the same person, whether you know it or not. But now that you know, it's kind of going to be in the back of your mind and open up plays for other players." Benton returns as one of UW's team leaders. He sought input about the potential to head to the NFL draft after a 2021 season where Big Ten coaches named him a second-team all-conference pick. His power is evident with a 405-pound bench press, 335-pound power clean and 635-pound squat.Benton ma y become an even greater presence for the Badgers' highly regarded defense this season. One area the 2022 Outland Trophy watch list selection saw improvement from the end of last season came in work capacity. "Usually last season, I got a report from coa ch (Shaun) Snee, our strength and conditioning coach," Benton said. "He talked to all the scouts and stuff, and they all kind of saw the same thing about me being tired (during the) the third, fourth quarter. "So this summer and this winter, I was really pushing myself to get my endurance up. So I feel like I've made a stride that way and got stronger and faster, so it overall worked out." - Wisconsin State Journal
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Wisconsin State Journal
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2022 PRESEASON BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin,...Benton has played in 33 career games with 24 starts at nose tackle ... has 45 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks...Earned third letter, starting all 13 games at nose tackle ... recorded 25 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2021. - Wisconsin Football
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Wisconsin Football
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2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin,...Earned third letter, starting all 13 games at nose tackle in 2021... recorded 25 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks ... also forced two fumbles and broke up two passes ... h ad a career-high 6 tackles with 2.0 sacks at Minnesota ... recorded 3 tackles and a TFL in win at Purdue. - Wisconsin Football
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Wisconsin Football
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Keeanu Benton isn't afraid to acknowledge that getting playing time as a freshman at Wisconsin in 2019 sparked a dream. The talented nose tackle from Janesville Craig High School planned to play three seasons and then jump to the NFL. "That was just my y oung mind talking," the junior told reporters Tuesday. "When the time comes, you have to sit down and (see) if you have everything that it takes to make that next step. "Because once you make it, you can't come back." Barring receiving a surprising first -round grade from the NFL's College Advisory Committee, Benton plans to return to UW for the 2022 season. "That has been on my mind this past week," he explained. "I've been talking with family, my parents especially. Talking to coaches. Just thinking ab out my next steps. At this point I'm thinking about coming back. I've got room to improve mentally and physically..."This isn't the year to leave early. It is a big class. It (lessens) my chances of getting drafted." Benton finished the regular season se cond among the team's linemen in tackles with 24. He also has 2 1/2 sacks, five tackles for loss, four hurries, two fumble recoveries and two passes broken up. - Journal Sentinel
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Journal Sentinel
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Keeanu Benton doesn't have a taste for alphabet soup. NFL? Yes, Wisconsin's mammoth junior nose tackle started dreaming of playing in that league long before he attended Janesville Craig High School. But for now, Benton is trying to keep that dream in st orage. "I just need to keep my head on straight," he said. "I feel I'm on the right route." NIL? Sure, a player with the talent and personality of the 6-foot-4, 317-pound Benton could profit off his Name, Image and Likeness if he chose. But for now, Bent on isn't interested. "I'm just really focused on school and football," he said. "All that NIL stuff can wait. We didn't have it in previous years so that doesn't matter now. "I'm not trying to build a brand or anything like that." What he is trying to do is help UW's defense shut down foes and help his team win a Big Ten title. "We (coaches) expect and his teammates expect a ton from him," head coach Paul Chryst said after practice Tuesday. "I think that comes from respect. Huge, huge respect for Keeanu ." Benton has started 11 games and played in a total of 20 in his two seasons at UW. Nose tackles aren't necessarily judged by the individual numbers they record but Benton knows he made more plays behind the line of scrimmage in 2019 than he did last se ason. - Journal Sentinel
(DS#7 DT) Sr/2023 DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
News Source: Journal Sentinel
Share/Comment/External News Feed: Here
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