Former Wisconsin star nose tackle Keeanu Benton earned a spot on the ProFootballFocus ‘Team of the Week’ for NFL Week 2 on Tuesday.
Benton, who now starts at nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, registered three total tackles and one quarterback hit against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. He, alongside former Badgers Isaiahh Loudermilk, Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt, held the Broncos offense to just six points on the day.
The Janesville, Wisconsin native was accompanied by Cardinals’ edge Dennis Gardeck, Jaguars’ edge Josh Hines-Allen and Ravens’ defensive tackle Travis Jones on the defensive line.
49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson, Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, Chargers safety Elijah Molden and Lions safety Brian Branch were also selected.
Since entering the league, Benton has emerged as a key force on Mike Tomlin’s defensive front. He started nine games a season ago and recorded 36 total tackles, eight quarterback hits and two pass deflections in 17 total appearances.
WEEK 2 PFF TEAM OF THE WEEK pic.twitter.com/eSILHoa0zd
— PFF (@PFF) September 17, 2024
During his four-year college tenure in Madison, Benton foreshadowed what he could provide to NFL franchises from the time he stepped foot onto the gridiron in 2019. He departed campus with a 2022 All-Big Ten third team selection, 82 tackles, nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Steelers’ next contest is against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 22.