Austin Romaine

ILB·Texas Tech#195 overall
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Draft Movement

#190 · Jun 8#195 · now

Down 5 spots since Jun 8

Scouting Report

Austin Romaine is a throwback MIKE linebacker who anchored Kansas State's defense for three seasons as the green-dot signal caller before transferring to Texas Tech for 2026 to replace Jacob Rodriguez. At 6'2", 245 pounds, he looks the part and plays with the football IQ and toughness scouts love. PFF's Trevor Sikkema slots him among the top MIKE prospects; PFF graded his 2024 tape at 91.0, highest among Power Four linebackers. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder hands him a 6.6 grade as a 4th-round role player, ranking him LB12 and No. 153 overall with a Nate Landman comp, while Sam Teets pegs him mid-fourth to early-fifth and a potential riser. Romaine's calling card is run recognition: he triggers downhill fast, beats linemen to the spot, and meets ball carriers in the hole with conviction. He forced three fumbles in 2024, two setting up game-winning scores. His instincts and communication are legitimate starter traits, but speed is the swing question. Evaluators consistently flag subpar timed speed that caps his sideline-to-sideline range and shows up against athletic tight ends and slot receivers on vertical concepts. Tight hips and inconsistent tackling angles compound the coverage concerns. His 2025 season was cut to nine games by a left-hand injury that required season-ending surgery. He projects as a two-down thumper and special-teams contributor early, with the football maturity to start at MIKE if a team buys development over traits.

Strengths

  • Exceptional run recognition with fast downhill trigger to meet ball carriers in the hole
  • PFF 91.0 grade in 2024, highest among Power Four linebackers
  • Green-dot signal caller and pre-snap communicator who lines up the whole defense
  • Three forced fumbles in 2024, two setting up game-winning scores
  • Light on his feet and balances to sift through traffic
  • Solid hand technique and rip move to slip blocks at the second level
  • High-motor, high-effort hustle player
  • Quick to re-orient and locate the ball after shedding blocks

Weaknesses

  • Subpar timed speed limits sideline-to-sideline range and exposes him over the top in Tampa 2
  • Tight, stiff hips make flipping and recovering in coverage difficult
  • Lacks short-area quickness to stay in phase with backs and tight ends on choice routes
  • Missed tackle rate slightly higher than ideal when attacking poor angles
  • Can get pushed off his spot by bigger interior linemen
  • Needs more lower-body strength to anchor against the run
  • Bites on misdirection and play action when over-reactive

NFL Comparison

Nate Landman (instinctive downhill thumper, B/R comp); KJ Britt (similar grade, run-first MIKE); Cedric Gray (4th-round IQ-over-traits linebacker)

College Stats

2023: 22 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 sk (5 starts as true freshman); 2024: 96 tkl, 7.5 TFL, 2 sk, 3 FF, 2 PD, PFF 91.0 over 621 snaps; 2025: 66 tkl, 7 TFL, 0.5 sk, 1 INT, 2 PD in 9 games (hand surgery)

Measurables

Height
6'2"
Weight
245

Awards & Honors

2023 Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year; 2024 Second Team All-Big 12 (coaches and AP); B/R LB12, No. 153 overall