Kansas State quietly boasts one of the most reliable returning defenders in the Big 12, and his name still isn’t mentioned nearly enough.
Linebacker Austin Romaine leads all returning players at his position with a 90.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest mark among Big 12 linebackers heading into 2025.
Romaine took a significant step forward last season and emerged as the centerpiece of a Kansas State defense that needed someone to step into that role. He finished 2024 with 96 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles.
That kind of production didn’t just earn him All-Big 12 recognition, it put him on the radar as one of the top linebackers in the country heading into this fall. What makes Romaine stand out isn’t just the stats. His ability to read plays, beat blockers to the spot, and finish cleanly makes him a difference-maker.
At 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, he brings a combination of physicality and range that fits exactly what you want in a Big 12 linebacker. Whether it’s shutting down the run or dropping into coverage, he handles it all with poise and consistency.
Kansas State is going to lean on him heavily again in 2025. With the league shifting and new faces entering the conference, there’s an opportunity for defenses to separate themselves, and Romaine gives K-State a serious edge in that department.
There are a lot of names getting preseason buzz in the Big 12, but Romaine belongs at the top of the list when it comes to defensive impact. The production is there. The film backs it up. And now, the PFF grade makes it official.
