Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa started just two games in 2025. He then suffered a torn ACL in the penultimate game of the season against Syracuse. The injury clouds his evaluation, but what does the tape show?
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 2027 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report
Measurables
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 230 lbs
Statistics
2025: 48 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 2 passes defended.
2024: 37 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 1 pass defended.
The Tape
Games Watched: Georgia Southern, at Purdue and at Nebraska.
Strengths
Viliamu-Asa lined up in a variety of positions. He played as a traditional off-ball linebacker, but also as an edge, and at times over slot receivers. At his size, this chess piece-type role is perfect for him and shows that the Irish have a creative defensive coaching staff.
Viliamu-Asa’s athletic ability stands out on tape. He can come downhill at speed and is fast enough to beat blockers to their spot and make plays. He’s also athletic enough to be used as a spy against mobile quarterbacks. His lateral range is excellent, showing the ability to move to the sideline while keeping his shoulders square.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is lined up on the edge here (left of screen). Watch how he beats the Miami HB who is trying to come across the formation to make the block. Viliamu-Asa just too athletic for him and he blows the play up.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/sZS8tYe7PR
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) July 26, 2026
Coupled with the athletic ability is a motor that never stops. Viliamu-Asa keeps working and chasing plays until the whistle. The two put together mean that he makes a lot of plays others can’t.
It’s always exciting when you see a linebacker reading his keys and making plays. There’s no doubt Viliamu-Asa’s speed helps him, but there are numerous examples on his tape where it’s looked like he’s been in the offensive huddle, as he reads plays so well. NFL defensive coaches will love this when they get to watch his tape.
Viliamu-Asa plays bigger than his listed 230 lbs. He is able to convert his speed into power when taking on blocks. This means he’s better than many linebackers of his size at getting off blocks. His motor also helps him in this area, as he never stops fighting to get off blocks.
While Viliamu-Asa lacks the bulk to play the edge position, he is a dangerous pass rusher. His speed and motor form a platform which by itself gives results. He’s also a naturally flexible athlete, so he can win with speed, dip, closing burst, and his relentless nature. He also has a nice inside move, swim move, and will also use speed-to-power. This gives him a toolset wider than many pure college edge rushers.
In coverage, Viliamu-Asa is mostly used in zone. His hips look loose, and he’s able to read the quarterback well. On occasions when he’s used in man coverage, he’s able to stay in phase with receivers down the field.
Areas to Improve
Viliamu-Asa’s medical is the key cause for concern. If he needs further cleanup surgery, or suffers a soft tissue injury in his comeback, it could derail his 2026 season. The fact that he’ll take part in fall camp is encouraging, however.
The key area for Viliamu-Asa to improve on the field is his tackling. There are too many missed tackles on his tape. At times, his motor can work against him as he’s not always under control. Ball carriers can change direction, and he’ll fly by the play.
There are some missed tackles on Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's tape (#27, left of screen). Here's one such example.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Ut2bN81nWm
— Paul Emery (@UKDraftFan) July 26, 2026
At times against bigger blockers, Viliamu-Asa can get engulfed. No matter how hard he fights, offensive linemen 100+lbs heavier than him do cause him problems.
His pass rush repertoire is good, but the bull rush is the least effective part of his arsenal. Again, bigger offensive linemen can absorb this effectively, and he can then struggle to counter when they get into his chest.
Key Tests in 2026
The Irish have just three preseason top 25 teams on the 2026 schedule. The first of these is not until October 17 (BYU), which gives Viliamu-Asa time to get back to full health.
The biggest test is Miami in South Bend on November 7. Going up against this team’s excellent speed will be a good barometer to show how healthy Viliamu-Asa’s knee is.
The other top 25 test is SMU on November 21.
The full schedule can be found here.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 2027 NFL Draft Projection
Viliamu-Asa is scheduled to practice at the start of fall camp, but it’s not yet known when he will be cleared to play. It’s encouraging that he will be taking some part in fall camp.
Should Viliamu-Asa suffer a setback and not play much, or at all, in 2026, then he will likely return for the 2027 college season. However, if he returns early in 2026 at the same level as last year, or better, then he will have a decision to make regarding the NFL.
Should he declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, NFL teams will look closely at his knee. If there are signs of future problems (arthritis, for example), it will hurt his stock.
Viliamu-Asa’s 2025 tape is exciting. Despite only starting two games, he looks like a first-round pick. He plays bigger than his size and his athletic ability is clear. He fits an attacking scheme where he can continue to be used as a chess piece to help keep him clean. Hopefully, he returns early in the season and hits the ground running.
