2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Rene Konga, DT, University of Louisville

• Name: Rene Konga
• Position: DT
• College: University of Louisville
• Height: 6040
• Weight: 300 lbs
• X: KongaRene
• Instagram: @reneKonga

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

So growing up, you know I played both basketball and football. You know I love both sports equally but at the end of the day I was just slightly better at football and I think I had a brighter future in football so that was ultimately the decision.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

In 2017. So I had a coach they used to tell me “you know it doesn’t matter if you get in or not what matters is that if you do get in, you do the best you can.”  And essentially I had a game winning tackle for us winning a championship back in the day and that moment stuck out to me to this day.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

I will have to say Nadamukong Suh, he was always a super dominant player at my  position. He’s also from Cameroon like I am so it would be kind of cool to chop it up about a bunch of things we have in common.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I would say probably any type of four down. I think my best football is when I can play vertical and get off the ball, not so much read and react. So, I would think any four down schemes would probably be the best fit, but I could play both. It doesn’t matter to me.

What stands out about your film the most?

One thing that stands out the most is probably my pass rushing ability I’ll be able to win my one on one’s with my matchups. I think you it’s pretty evident that if you’d leave me one on one with an offensive guard, you know it’s going to probably be a long day for him.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

One thing that I love a lot is just the people you meet while playing this game. Like even just going through this pre-draft process I’ve met a lot of good dudes and it’s like wow we only know each other because of a game of football. So, I just think it’s just a beautiful thing and just thank God every day for it.

Who is the most underrated player you played with and why?

I would probably have to say Wesley Bailey, Louisville defensive end, he finished the year with almost seven sacks, but like it doesn’t seem like he’s getting any type of recognition, he’s a violent player, plays the run and the pass equally well.

What would a team get in a player like you?

I think not only would you get a great interior pass rusher like I have mentioned before, but I think I have arguably one of the highest ceilings in this draft class at my position. I did what I did in college still having very raw tools just being kind of new to the position. So, I think if I just keep my head down and work then I could be a franchise changing player.