ASU linebacker Keyshaun Elliott taken in fifth round of NFL draft

TL;DR

Keyshaun Elliott, an ASU linebacker, was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft as the 166th overall pick. He is the fourth ASU player chosen this year, following two first-round selections.

Key points

Keyshaun Elliott drafted by Chicago Bears
Selected in fifth round, 166th overall
Fourth ASU player chosen in 2026 NFL Draft
Two ASU players were first-round selections
ASU matched its 2022 draft total of four players

Keyshaun ElliottChicago BearsArizona StateNew Orleans Saints

ASU linebacker Keyshaun Elliott taken in fifth round of NFL draft

Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott was the fourth Arizona State player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, going to the Chicago Bears in the fifth round with the 166th overall pick.

Elliott's selection follows that of wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (eighth overall, New Orleans Saints) and right tackle Max Iheanachor (21st overall, Pittsburgh Steelers), both of whom went in the first round, and cornerback Keith Abney II (157th overall, Detroit Lions), who was chosen in the fifth round.

The four players chosen this season out of Tempe matches the number ASU had selected in 2022, but this draft was much more impressive because in that 2022 draft, the highest of those picks was in the third round, and in this one, ASU had two first-round selections.

Elliott has been the leader of the ASU defense in his two years. He has been the player wearing the green dot on his helmet, which means he is the player getting communication from the coaches and relaying it to his teammates.

He amassed 301 tackles and 11.5 sacks in his four years.

Who is Keyshaun Elliott?

Grade: Senior

Height: 6-2. Weight: 231.

Hometown: Richmond, Missouri.

At ASU: In the last two years, totaled 163 tackles and nine sacks. In 2025, he recorded 98 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. Recorded double-digit tackles four times, with a season high of 13 in a loss to Houston.