Fast-rising Kansas State linebacker with range, toughness, and football IQ
Asa Newsom enters the 2026 season as a senior linebacker for Kansas State, listed at 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, and projected to compete for a spot in the top four at the position.[1][2][3] He’s consistently described as a speedy, extremely tough defender with good awareness, and that combo matters: Newsom brings pursuit speed, physical edge, and the kind of instincts that make coaches trust him on the field.[1] He played 9 games in the 2025 season and recorded 18 tackles, showing useful depth value already, while Kansas State’s roster and preseason notes suggest he’s moving into a bigger role.[2][3]
