The Pittsburgh Steelers are heavily in draft mode with the league's annual selection meeting being hosted in Kansas City at the end of April. An important part of the process of getting to know these young men is the top 30 visits and the Steelers hosted three defensive prospects at the team facilities on Monday.
Photo Credit: David Stluka/ Wisconsin Badgers
Keeanu Benton made a big impact for the Wisconsin Badgers with 35 tackles, 10 for loss with 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in 12 starts as a senior.
At the Steelers facility for top-30 visits today: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (USC), DL Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin) and CB Julius Brents (Kansas State)
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 3, 2023
The focus of the day was working out players on the defensive side of the ball as the team still has needs of various degrees at cornerback, edge rusher, and on the line.
Photo Credit: kstatesports.com
Julius Brents (#23) lines up against LSU.
Pittsburgh has been heavily linked to the cornerback position in mock drafts and while their history of drafting and developing at the position may scare some away from using pick 17 on a corner, in a deep class the Steelers could have a number of options. One player the team seem to have a real interest in at the position is Kent State's, Julius Brents. Measuring 6’3” and weighing right around 200 pounds, he plays a physical brand of the game that would prep him perfectly for AFC North football.
Steelers Hint At Trait They're Looking For In Defense Up Front
Photo Credit: John McCoy/ AP Photo
Tuli Tuipulotu celebrates a stop of California on fourth down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles.
It is no secret that the Steelers love guys who get after the quarterback and mess plays up in the backfield. Last season was the first time since 2016 that the team didn't finish first or tied for first in sacks in the league, according to Pro Football Reference. Both former Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton and USC Trojans edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu did their fair share of wreaking havoc on opposing offenses in college and it certainly has head coach Mike Tomlin intrigued.
Benton became the first Badgers defensive lineman since JJ Watt in 2010 registering 10 in 12 games. He also had four and a half sacks including a two-quarterback takedown game against Illinois in October 2022. he came in at 6"4' and 309 pounds at the combine and according to NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, Benton "has flashed starting potential, but he needs to become a more consistently impactful force in the middle to make noise as an NFL starter."
Back in 2017, when a fellow Badger, who also measured 6"4' at the combine, by the name of TJ Watt received a similar scouting grade from the same site as a potential future starter. Now this is not to say, these are directly comparable players, they play different positions, but if Benton is on the board he could be an exciting project and Pittsburgh clearly sees something in him.
Tuipulotu lead all of college football last season with 13.5 sacks to go along with 22 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles in his junior year. The First Team AP All-American in 2022 is also part of a football family, his brother Marlon got into nine games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season and his cousin Fili Moala played in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts (2009-14).
So, Steeler Nation, what do you think about this first crop of prospects in for a visit with the team? Would you want the team to take any of these guys? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
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