Hero Kanu DT Texas |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #93 SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 5.03 seconds (67%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #93 | |
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 5.03 seconds (67%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
75.0 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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73% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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76% |
| Pass Rush: |
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76% |
| Run Defense: |
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76% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#403
Position rank:
#57 (DL)
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| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 1000 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
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247 RATING: 94/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tommy Togiai - Ohio State |
|
88% |
| Junior Tafuna - Utah |
|
83% |
| Chris McClellan - Missouri |
|
83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Hero Kanu grew up in Geltendorf, Germany, playing soccer as a goalkeeper and center back until he was 16. He moved to California in October 2020, played organized football for the first time the next spring and posted 55 tackles, nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his final high school season at Santa Margarita Catholic. He was a four-star recruit and was an All-American Bowl selection.Kanu redshirted at Ohio State in 2022 and played in 27 games over the next two seasons as a reserve, including the 2024 national title run. He transferred to Texas for 2025 and started 12 games, then passed on the 2026 draft to return.
Kanu has started every game at defensive tackle in his final season. He split a sack at Tennessee and had a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and two hurries against UTSA.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plays with balance and power, holding the point against the run
- Had four pressures at Tennessee, where he split a sack
- Experienced starter who was part of a national title run at Ohio State
- Good quickness for his size, especially on stunts inside
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Production has not matched his preseason billing, with 14 pressures in eight games
- Only nine run stops in eight games as a starter
- Still learning the game after starting football at 16
- Missed a tackle in each of the Ohio State and Florida games
- Run defense can be inconsistent when he is double-teamed
Scouting Report: Summary
Kanu has a rare background for an SEC defensive tackle, and his athletic gifts are clear. He has good quickness and balance for his size, holds the point against the run and showed his rush ability at Tennessee, with four pressures and a shared sack.However, his production has been modest for a fifth-year starter. He has 14 pressures and nine stops in eight games, and his technique still shows a player who only began organized football in 2021.
Overall, Kanu has the tools and experience to earn a look, but he needs more consistent production. He projects as a priority free agent rotational tackle with developmental upside.
How other scouting services rate Hero Kanu (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
320.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
57.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.