The Texas Longhorns have been gaining quite a bit of momentum recently when it comes to the number of potential NFL Draft picks they could have in 2027. One name that hasn't really been brought up, though, is Texas DT Hero Kanu.
That certainly changed last night, as an NFL Scout said some intriguing things about the second-year Longhorn.
"If he keeps surging like he started to (in 2025), he's got a chance to hear his name called on night one."
Kanu became a fixture along the interior defensive line for Texas last year after transferring to Austin from Ohio State. His ability to penetrate and shoot gaps at 6'5", 321 lbs., is unheard of, and it's mostly due to his success as a hand-fighter at the point of contact.
He's consistently able to two-hand swipe and club/rip his way into the backfield by timing up his counter-moves incredibly well.
#Texas DL Hero Kanu saw the most snaps of any DL in the opener and plays like this are reasons why.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 1, 2025
One of the few pressures forced on Sayin Saturday came via a smooth swim move from Kanu. @ontexasfootball pic.twitter.com/4g9L0JSJ1I
Kanu was a force to be reckoned with at both 1-technique and 3-technique at times last year, showing off his athleticism and versatility to be effective wherever he's needed.
In 2025, he totaled 40 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 pass deflection in 13 games, and he has an incredibly good chance to improve on those numbers in 2026. Kanu will undoubtedly be the leader of Texas' defensive tackle room this season alongside Ian Geffrard, and there's a very good chance that the Longhorns could have one of the top overall defensive line units in all of college football in 2026.
Colin Simmons, Ian Geffrard, and Hero Kanu could all be top-tier players this season, and all of them could get drafted within the first three rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft.
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