The Texas Longhorns entered the offseason in dire need of a defensive line infusion. Well, they got some reinforcements in the form of former Ohio State Buckeyes DT Hero Kanu.
Ohio State DT Hero Kanu Transfers to Texas
In a move that stunned many on both sides, Kanu transfered to Texas. With two years of eligibility remaining, he looks to give the Longhorns a strong presence upfront.
In their quest to win a national championship, the Longhorns needed not only depth but starting ability on the defensive line.
With four players either leaving for the NFL or transferring, the cupboard looked exceedingly bare. Kanu could see extensive snaps, and the team will depend on him to anchor against the run and crush the pocket during passing situations.
Originally born and partially raised in Germany, Kanu moved to Orange County, California, playing his prep ball at Santa Margarita Catholic.
A four-star prospect, according to 247Sports, Kanu chose the Buckeyes over the likes of Washington, USC, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Kanu settled into a rotational role at defensive tackle, playing 29 games for the Buckeyes, tallying one sack. With an expected increase in snaps, what should fans envision from the DT? A metaphorical dancing bear, Kanu moves his feet with nimbleness, even in space.
Also, his explosive first step comes from a background in playing soccer. He can possibly operate in both odd/even fronts, with the athleticism to man the 5-tech. After less than six years of playing football, including high school, his ceiling appears high.
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Texas made the SEC proud with their playoff push in 2024, including a heartstopper of a victory against Arizona State. Now, Kanu will help lead a defense that is looking to rebuild on the fly due to massive losses to the draft and the portal.
The perils of a talented team mean that your roster will change. In this current atmosphere, talent like Kanu will stand out on a yearly basis due to its potential versatility.
While the keyword remains versatility, potential also stands out. Kanu needs to really focus and learn the nuance of the game.
In the Power Four, other hyperathletic players surround you and will line up against you. Under those circumstances, technique brings an athlete to a vastly different level.
Kanu may not shake the landscape of college football with his transfer. At the same time, he plays a high-value position, especially to the team he transferred to.
The SEC, as a conference, prides itself on potent offenses that feature a crisp balance of the passing attack mixing with the run game. If the Longhorns can field a quality unit around him, look for him to break out in the fall.
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