Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, the 166th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, talks with ChicagoBears.com about his favorite college football memory, his short-lived punting career, being one of 10 kids and more.
What you are most excited to do or see in Chicago?
This is my first time here, so really just explore. See the buildings. It's a pretty big city — the biggest city I've ever lived in.
What's your first impression of it?
It's pretty cool. It kind of looks pretty similar to the Midwest, very green. I was in Arizona for the past few years, so it's the desert, no trees. So this feels like home, for sure.
What was your favorite college football memory?
Probably winning the Big 12 Conference championship. That was pretty cool to just experience that with all my teammates.
Who introduced you to football and when?
I would play with my older cousins in the front yard whenever we were young. We'd play tackle football with no pads, so I just found out I was pretty good at it and kept playing.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I'm pretty decent at golf. I can go out there and play a good round of golf.
Who taught you that?
Really, myself. Self-taught, I never took a lesson. I played with all my buddies in high school. During COVID, we all started playing and got pretty good at it.
Who were your sports idols growing up?
I really liked Peyton Manning because I was a quarterback until I got to college. Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, all the older quarterbacks. Those were the guys that I really liked. And then once I got to college and just played linebacker, it was just whatever guys in the league that I could access their film and watch.
In high school, you played quarterback, punter and linebacker, but what was actually your favorite position?
My favorite was quarterback. I like touching the ball every play. You really control how the game goes, so I liked having that role.
What was your favorite thing about being a punter?
That I was pretty dang good at it. One of my coaches, he coached special teams in college as well, and he just taught me how to punt the ball and how to turn it over and put a spiral on it, and I learned how to do it. It was an easy thing to practice. Whenever I had time, I'd practice kicking. It was fun.
You are one of 10 kids in your family. Where are you in the order?
Dead middle. I have three older siblings, so I'm the fourth.
What's the best part about being the middle?
You've got some older ones to look up to, and then you can also boss the younger ones around. Just right in the middle.
