Big 12 offenses already know the name. Now the rest of the country is catching on.
Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine was named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list Tuesday, spotlighting one of the nation’s top defensive playmakers.
The award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America, honors the nation’s top defensive player.
Romaine led the Wildcats with 96 tackles last season, adding 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He tied for fifth in the Big 12 in forced fumbles and ranked ninth in total tackles.