In another textbook example of Chris Klieman’s impressive player development at Kansas State, junior linebacker Austin Romaine has been listed as a player to know in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The list came from PFF College, which placed Romaine among 10 of the nation’s best linebackers heading into the 2025 season.
Romaine committed to Kansas State as an underrated recruit in the Class of 2023. The 247Sports index listed him as a three-star prospect. He checked in as the nation’s 1463rd-ranked player, the 86th-ranked player at his position, and the 28th-ranked player in the state of Missouri.
In his first two seasons with the Wildcats, Romains has been a serious enforcer in the middle of the field. The Missouri native has recorded a total of 118 tackles, two pass breakups, three sacks, and three forced fumbles since being thrown into the starting lineup as a true freshman.
Romaine leads a Kansas State defense hungry for a better outing next fall. In 2024, the Wildcats finished sixth in total yards allowed, ninth in passing yards allowed, second in rushing yards allowed, and seventh in points per game surrendered.
Romaine will continue his path toward the next level in 2025, when the Wildcats kick off their season in Week Zero in a farmageddon matchup between K-State and Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.
