JANESVILLE — Standing in the center of The Bowl behind Craig High School, former Cougar and current Pittsburgh Steelers lineman reminisced about his dreams of making it to the NFL.
“I started off running that hill over there — now, I’m showing these guys that their dreams aren’t ever too far away. I remember being back on these same fields dreaming of doing what I’m doing today,” Benton said.
Now that he’s made it to to NFL, heading into his third season as a defensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Benton was back in Janesville for Monday’s youth football camp.
Benton was joined by fellow NFL and former Badger teammates Nate and Nick Herbig along with Podas Johnson as guest coaches along with dozens of volunteers and more than 100 campers.
Benton, a standout lineman for the Cougars, graduated in 2019 and went on to play for the Badgers. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.
“It’s nice to come back and see them where they’re at and meet them where they’re at and help them get to that next step,” Benton said while working with individual groups of campers.
His biggest highlight came last season when he recorded his first NFL interception, off Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in a 27–14 Steelers win.
Packers fans are looking forward to one Steelers game in particular this fall.
With former Packers MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining the Steelers this season, the Oct. 26 Packers game in Pittsburgh has been circled on the calendar for many Janesville football fans hoping to see both Benton and Rodgers on the field.
