The Janesville native played in games for UW, making tackles, including for loss, and tallying nine sacks. He had career-highs in tackles , tackles for loss and sacks ½ this season. He was a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a junior and an honorable mention pick this year. 

“Badger Nation, it’s been an honor to be a part of this awesome university for the past four years and I have no regrets about anything I did on or off the field. I have become a man at the University of Wisconsin and consider this my second home,” Benton wrote. “First and foremost, I would like to thank God, without him none of this would be possible. I want to thank coach K Ross Kolodziej, coach Paul Chryst and coach Jim Leonhard for setting me up to become the best player and person that I can be. I would also like to thank my teammates who have been in the grind with me and forming some bonds that can never be broken. And lastly thanks to the Badger fans that supported me and made Saturdays at Camp Randall unforgettable.

“Being a part of this Wisconsin Badger football team has taught me resiliency, passion and dependability. I will never forget the time that I have spent here and the connections I have made along the way.

“So with that being said, my collegiate football career has come to an end and I will be declaring for the NFL draft. On, Wisconsin!”

He considered declaring for the draft last offseason but chose to come back to improve as a pass rusher and increase his versatility on the defensive line. He’s set to play in the Senior Bowl, where he will get to practice and play in front of scouts from every NFL team.