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.
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.
Fans attend the Arizona Cardinals annual draft party outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 23, 2026.NFL Draft 2026: Follow along as we track the first 32 selections, trades, analysis and reaction
1 / 20Arizona Cardinals draft party 2026 had fans, face paint and funFans attend the Arizona Cardinals annual draft party outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 23, 2026.NFL Draft 2026: Follow along as we track the first 32 selections, trades, analysis and reaction
Fans attend the Arizona Cardinals annual draft party outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale on April 23, 2026.NFL Draft 2026: Follow along as we track the first 32 selections, trades, analysis and reaction
Measurables: Vertical jump 38 inches, broad jump 10-5, bench press 21 reps.
Noteworthy: Was a Senior Bowl participant, along with OL Max Iheanachor. Played two years at New Mexico State before transferring to ASU. Cousin Lenvil Elliott played for the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers and was part of the Super Bowl XVI championship team.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State LB selected on Day 3 of NFL draft