NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Kansas State LB Austin Romaine

Matt HolderDec 15, 2025

Standing at 6'2", 245 pounds, Austin Romaine looks the part of an NFL linebacker and has the skillset to be a decent run defender at the next level. Part of what makes the Kansas State product special is his instincts and his ability to be physical when taking on blocks, or to use his lateral movement skills to slip blocks.

Romaine entered the Wildcats' program as a 3-star recruit in the 2023 class and got playing time as a true freshman, making a handful of starts while recording 22 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. That resulted in honorable mention recognition for Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.

He took on a bigger role in year two by becoming a full-time starter and logging 96 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, two sacks, two passes defended, and three forced fumbles, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors.

This past season, the Hillsboro, Missouri native was having a decent campaign before suffering an injury to his left hand. That impacted his ability to take on blocks and eventually led to season-ending surgery, limiting him to nine games.

Despite the injury, Romaine still had good production with 66 tackles, seven TFLs, 0.5 sack, an interception, and two PDs.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

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- Romaine has good size and a good frame for an NFL linebacker.

- Consistent pre-snap communicator to get the entire defense lined up properly and on the same page.

- Quick to key and diagnose run plays, allowing him to beat offensive linemen to the spot and make tackles near the line of scrimmage.

- Physical when taking on blocks and was good at using his hands (pre-hand injury) to help disengage.

- Takes on blocks with a wide base and low pad level to help absorb contact, allowing him to stay on his path or in his gap when getting blocked from the side.

- Has solid lateral movement skills and a rip move to slip blocks on the second level.

- Flashed a decent arm-over move to beat running backs and get pressure occasionally when blitzing.

- High effort, hustle player.

Areas of Improvement

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 25 Kansas State at Kansas

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- Subpar speed overall, limiting Romaine's sideline-to-sideline range and causing him to get beaten to the flat in coverage or over the top when asked to play Tampa 2.

- Also is slow moving backward, which can result in him being late to get into his area when spot dropping, especially against play action.

- Tight/stiff hips, making it difficult for him to flip his hips and recover in coverage.

- Lacks the short-area quickness to stay inphase against running backs and tight ends on choice routes.

- Could afford to add more lower body strength to anchor as a run defender when taking on blocks from stronger offensive linemen.