Breaking:Want To Prove That I’m Not Just A Two-Down Guy” Steelers Nose Tackle Keeanu Benton making a big impact and…

selecting talented and skilled defensive players in the draft and Keeanu Benton could be one of their best finds in years. It is easy to get lost in a defensive room littered with stars like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, but at 6-4, 309 pounds, Benton makes his presence felt.

Benton is preparing for his second season in the NFL and Steelers players and coaches are excited about his future potential. The powerful nose tackle was a standout at the University of Wisconsin and was eventually picked up by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft to fortify their defensive line. His Steelers and former Wisconsin teammate Nate Herbig stated that he thought Benton “was the best player in the 2023 draft,” and was “unblockable.”

Overtime Heroic’s Senior Editor Reggie Roberts recently caught up with Benton in the offseason to discuss a range of on-field and off-field topics. With regards to football, Benton opened up about his targets for the upcoming season and solidifying his place in the defensive line.

OH: “Lots of guys set offseason goals for what they want to accomplish the next season. What areas of your game do you want to improve upon this season?”

KB: “First thing I want to prove is that I’m not just a two-down guy. So, getting after the passer is a thing that I tried to get better at this offseason and just also improving on my strengths that I had last season in stopping the run so I can get those chances to rush the passer.”

At 22 years old, Benton still has plenty of time to develop his game but is keen to make more of an impact next season. In 2023, he featured in all 17 regular season games but started just nine. He recorded one sack, 36 tackles and eight quarterback hits.

The Steelers pride themselves on their tough and resilient defense. With Keeanu Benton, they seem to have found a rising star that could be a staple in the lineup for years to come.