We are still learning about what exact traits the Detroit Lions regime under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell covet in a draft prospect. One of the traits we definitely know is grit, however.
So when a prospect at a position of fairly serious need in Detroit trumpets his “grit factor”, it stands out.
Such is the case with Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton. The muscular Benton noted his grit factor during his podium time at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. In fact, he brought up the word a few times during his interview period. Benton initially mentioned it in relation to his high school wrestling background.
The grit definitely shows in Benton’s game tape, too. Some of that stems from him being lightly recruited out of Janesville, Wisconsin. He played his way up the Badgers depth chart, notably going toe-to-toe in practice against current Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Benton declared matter-of-factly.
This rep from Wisconsin IDL Keanu Benton is beautiful 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/PK8sbtBivD
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) February 6, 2023
Benton was one of the best individual performers at the Senior Bowl last month. He did meet with the Lions in Mobile and is slated to meet with them here in Indianapolis this week, too. Benton is generally projected as a second or third-round prospect.
