Welcome to the Steelers Keeanu Benton

With the 49th pick the Steelers select that guy.

 

cool beans .

get to work.

 

He is him!

 

He is a defensive tackle, so he tackles on defense. He does it well according to scouting reports. He should help our tackling on defense.

 

He has incredible strength and leverage. He was 48-2 as a wrestler for the Badgers, being the NCAA runner up in the tourney championship.

 

Heyward will coach him up i'm sure

 

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Keeanu-Benton-NT-Wisconsin

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Former wrestler who brings his skills to the gridiron - you can see the skill as he wins with leverage and outstanding hand use
• Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands.
• Very experienced prospect who has been in the starting lineup all four years at Wisconsin
• Impressive raw power - is a mismatch for smaller blockers
• High motor player - who never seems to tire
• Powers through blocks taking a wide base- has an impressive anchor - will not be driven backward
• Benton has pure power, which is emphasized by a good pad level. Benton can stand up at the point of attack and handle double teams, and Benton also has the ability to drive blockers back into the pocket with a bull rush
• Displays an impressive swim move - excellent inside beating guards and getting to the QB
• Delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to shed blocks to make plays in the hole or outside the box. Uses lower-body strength to anchor inside.
• Provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing as a three-technique.
• He’s long but has a powerful lower body and plays with impressive leverage considering his frame.
• He really improved as a pass rusher in 2022 where he made 6 sacks - more than all his previous years combined

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Benton doesn’t have a lot of suddenness to his game, and won’t wreck plays on a regular basis.
• While he possesses nice raw power - it doesn't translate to explosive play
• His initial burst is only average - and won't win with speed
• At 6-4 he doesn't get low enough and you'll see lineman taking advantage of this by getting under his pads
• While his hands are technically sound and strong - they aren't fast leading to blockers able to win with a quick first move
• Hips are a little stiff. May be limited to a three-tech or a NT
• Plays too high at times, and gets carried downfield or put to the ground by better lineman when losing the leverage battle

Scouting Report: Summary
Keeanu Benton was prior to 2022 viewed as just a run-stuffing space eater, however after displaying significant improvement throughout the season and putting up some serious pressure as a pass rusher he began to be seen as a complete player and a potential difference-maker at the next level. He's an impressive wrap-up tackler with elite raw power who is a major asset as an interior run defender as he often requires double-teaming and now presents as a prospect who's nearly as impressive as an interior pass-rusher.
Benton is however limited athletically, is neither quick nor fast and sometimes looks a little lumbering in his movement and his lateral movement is just average.

As a player that can clog the lanes in the run game and offers some pass-rush ability Benton's skill set will always be in demand - expect him to last no later than the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

 

Heard Kiper doesnt like him, but that dude is way past his prime.

 

Love it!

 

It was still in his top 40

 

Kiper said he lacks consistency, doesn't show up
Week in week out? Maybe Cam can work on this?

 

Well then, he's a sure fire HOFer

 

I loved him in Bills & Ted's excellent adventure. Iconic.

 

He’s a Rats fan so who cares.

 

As long as he shows up against Kiper’s Rats!

 

Hell ya Keanu is a beast! He was also awesome in my hometown of Janesville in highschool

 

Kiper is beginning to not like himself. If anything, I am starting to see a bit what ESPN is doing here. Not sure if he is doing Draft Coverage right now but Matt Miller is likely next to succeed him whenever Kiper elects to hang em up.

 

Who was that Pittsburgh Steelers wrestler guy that won his title with Div 2, and then was allowed to compete against the big boys and won the Div 1 title as well. I think the NCAA has made it illegal for this to happen again.

I don't know if he played college football, but the Steelers drafted him late.


found it.
If national titles are the standard used to measure greatness, then Carlton Haselrig ranks as the top heavyweight in collegiate history. In an era when NCAA Division II national champions could compete just a few days later in the Division I tournament, Haselrig took on all comers. Six times he advanced to the finals of an NCAA tournament. Six times his hand was raised.

Haselrig’s unprecedented run of success at the top level prompted the NCAA to create the so-called “Haselrig Rule,” which bars small-school champions from moving on to the Division I tournament. That means his six titles will likely never be matched.
Hall of Fame Distinguished Member and 6-time NCAA champion Carlton Haselrig, 54, passes away (teamusa.org)


Funny, He was drafted in the 12 round. So like his 6 National Championships, this isn't allowed anymore.

 

haselrig was a tough cookie.

 

It's all in the Matrix

 

all we want is a guy who can beat off offensive guys trying to stop him. We have been beaten off enough and now its our ture to beat off. lol

 

They must have big hands to be able to beat off their opponents.

 

I think the rotation of Heyward, Larry, Leal, and Benton will go a long way to keeping the defense healthy and fresh.

 

still no replacement for cam. must be just relying on these UDFA's and career backups. sorry elvis, i'll show myself out now.

 

Going into last season Benton was known as the best run stuffer in college football but that wasn't enough for him he wanted to improve his pass rush. He ended up last year with 6 sacks which is a lot for a college DT playing in the middle of the line.