One of the most dominant defensive players in college football this season has been New Mexico defensive end Darren Agu. Agu has already recorded 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season, earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors twice in the past four weeks.
Over the last two games alone, he has accounted for six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, playing a major role in New Mexico's undefeated start to Mountain West conference play. But it's more than his production that has NFL scouts taking notice. As the 2027 NFL Draft defensive prospect rankings continue to take shape, Agu is another name worth keeping an eye on.
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โ Mountain West (@MountainWest) November 2, 2026
For the second time in three weeks, Agu earns the honor after helping @UNMLoboFB stay unbeaten in MW play with a 21-16 victory at San Josรฉ State. The senior recorded six tackles (four solo), includingโฆ pic.twitter.com/1Xj5Zdlo66
His production on the field has also caught the attention of NFL scouts. According to head coach Jason Eck, scouts are paying close attention to Agu, and it is easy to understand why when watching his film and examining his impressive athletic testing numbers.
On film, Agu displays an explosive first step and impressive overall athleticism, allowing him to consistently turn the corner as a pass rusher. Despite being somewhat undersized at 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds, he also shows surprising strength. His ability to use an effective long-arm technique makes him a difficult matchup for offensive tackles, while his strength and physicality allow him to hold up against the run. His 89.9 PFF run-defense grade further highlights his effectiveness in that area.
Why Darren Agu's athletic profile has NFL scouts intrigued
Agu checks several important boxes as an NFL Draft prospect, including production, on-field ability, and athletic measurables. In fact, he was ranked No. 18 on Bruce Feldman's annual "Freaks List" heading into the season. According to Feldman, Agu possesses a 385-pound bench press, an 11-foot-3-inch broad jump, and an impressive 1.61-second 10-yard split. Those numbers help explain the explosiveness and power he displays on the field.
As for his NFL Draft outlook, Agu currently projects as a potential late Day 3 selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. Like other overlooked prospects featured in our NFL Draft Notebook, Agu has the physical tools to outperform his current draft projection. The biggest concerns surrounding him will likely be his lack of bulk for an NFL defensive end, his relatively raw development, and the level of competition he faces in the Mountain West. His development may also require some patience, particularly considering he grew up in London and is still adjusting to the demands of American college football.
However, the physical tools and production are difficult to overlook. Agu has the athletic profile, pass-rushing ability, and developmental upside to become an intriguing NFL prospect. While Agu may need time to add strength and refine his technique, his combination of explosive athleticism and pass-rushing production could make him one of the more intriguing developmental steals in the 2027 NFL Draft.
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