Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) sacks Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Keeanu Benton DT Wisconsin | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Keeanu Benton DT Wisconsin
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.08 seconds (56%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.4 DOB: 07/17/2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 5.08 seconds (56%*) | |
| Age: 23.4 DOB: 07/17/2001 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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59% |
| Pass Rush: |
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86% |
| Run Defense: |
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64% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#72
Position rank:
#14
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| College Games: 45 College Snaps: 1317 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 49 (PIT)
Draft Profile: Bio
Keeanu Benton from Craig High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports after dominating in both football and as a wrestler where he earned all-state honors. After high school, Benton joined Wisconsin.In 2019 as a freshman Benton saw action in 13 games and played a total of 245 snaps for the Badgers. He recorded 10 tackles, 4 assists, while adding 8 stops. As a pass rusher, he added 14 total pressures, which included 8 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Badgers in 2020 Benton played in 7 games and took part in 173 snaps for the Badgers. He recorded just 6 tackles, 4 assists, while adding 6 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 5 total pressures, and 3 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and no sacks during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Benton played in 13 games and contributed on 472 snaps. He recorded 17 tackles, 10 assists while making 16 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 21 total pressures, which included 12 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Benton logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 427 snaps for the Badgers. He also added 25 tackles, 7 assists, and 27 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 28 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 11 QB hits, and an impressive 6 sacks on the season.
Honors & awards
- 2022: All-Big Ten third team (coaches)
- 2022 Preseason: Fourth-team All-America (Phil Steele)
- 2021: All-Big Ten second team (coaches), All-Big Ten honorable mention (media)
- 2020: Academic All-Big Ten
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.
Keeanu Benton percentiles vs other Defensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
Update - 04/21/2023
Benton is boosting his stock at the Senior Bowl. Despite being a stocky player he's shown surprising quickness and previously unseen pass-rush moves. He's moving up some team's boards.How other scouting services rate Keeanu Benton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
55.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
25.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.