Texas defensive lineman Hero Kanu earned national recognition for his leadership and community service this week when it was announced that he’s one of 20 semifinalists for the 2026 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. The award recognizes FBS players who demonstrate beyond their athletic skillset by displaying traits of courage, integrity, and sportsmanship when they find themselves off the field as well.l
Kanu, a fifth-year player who transferred to Texas from Ohio State last spring, has
made an impact through his work with young athletes. Over the past two years, he has hosted eight free football camps in Germany and France, where he taught young people the game while also emphasizing discipline and dedication in their practice of it and otherwise. He has also donated more than 100 pairs of shoes to children in need and sponsored two aspiring student-athletes from Germany and Nigeria to attend college football camps in the United States.
Kanu is Texas’ third consecutive semifinalist. Most recently, Michael Taaffe was named a semifialist for the Witten Award in 2025. As did Jake Majors in 2024. Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger won it in 2021.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: Who’s to blame as Texas football tumbles in the polls?
Houston Chronicle: Bohls: Predictions on UT: A 7-5 season, Manning to NFL and Sarkisian stays
Inside Texas: Inside Texas weekly Q&A: O-line, offensive issues, hypotheticals
Inside Texas: The Texas defense has some things to clean up
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
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RECRUITING ROUNDUP
247Sports: Midweek water cooler: Texas recruiting buzz building ahead of Ole Miss game
247Sports: Three questions: Should Texas take a different approach to recruiting quarterbacks?
247Sports: 2029 OL Jordan Richardson picks up Texas offer, puts Longhorns near top of list
Inside Texas: Texas Longhorns recruiting intel: Horns hosting Texas A&M commit, 2027 LB talks ATX official visit
SEC SHOWDOWN
Austin American-Statesman: Texas bans fan who flipped off Florida players on field after loss
Good Bull Hunting: Trenches preview: Texas A&M at Alabama
Rock M Nation: Bye week breakdown: Offense
Rocky Top Talk: Dejuan Lane on the mentality of the Tennessee defense: ‘Teams have to stop us’
Dawg Sports: Around the SEC rethinks the 24-team playoff
A Sea Of Blue: Mark Pope makes interesting comments on Kentucky Basketball recruiting and NIL spending
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: Analyzing the three favorites for NWSL Rookie of the Year
SB Nation: What are the logistics of a Matthew Stafford trade?
SB Nation: The Warriors’ terrible Kristaps Porzingis news is a problem without a viable solution
NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND
