Photo courtesy: Louisville Athletics
Canadian defensive lineman Rene Konga has signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
The Ottawa, Ont., native was expected to be selected on Day 3 after generating some hype late in the process, but fell out of the draft entirely. He has reportedly received $287,500 in guaranteed money — a significant amount by UDFA standards.
Konga has spent the past two seasons at the University of Louisville, where he earned second-team All-ACC honours at defensive tackle as a senior in 2025. He appeared in 23 games for the Cardinals, recording 49 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and six batted passes.
The six-foot-four, 298-pound defender began his collegiate career at Rutgers University in 2020 and played 21 games over four seasons at the school before transferring, notching 14 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two batted passes, and a forced fumble.
Buzz grew around Konga in the lead-up to the draft after the Canadian prospect distinguished himself at the American Bowl, a mid-tier college all-star game, and earned a late call-up to the Senior Bowl, the premier event for draft-eligible prospects.
He seized further momentum with a jaw-dropping performance at the University of Louisville pro day on March 24, running a 4.79-second forty-yard dash, 4.59-second shuttle, and 7.03-second three-cone drill, while recording 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, leaping 37 inches in the vertical jump, and posting a ten-foot, two-inch broad jump. Those numbers would have stood out among defensive tackles at the 2026 NFL Combine, ranking first in the vertical jump, broad jump, and three-cone drill. He would also have tied for second in the forty-yard dash and tied for fourth in the shuttle.
Konga reportedly had Top 30 pre-draft visits with the Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys. He also interviewed virtually with decision makers for the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals, plus meetings with the defensive line coaches from the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and New Orleans Saints.
The Dolphins went 7-10 last season, missing the playoffs. The team is entering their first year under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
The final scouting bureau rankings had Konga as the third-rated prospect in the 2026 CFL Draft, but he is not expected to be selected until the mid-rounds due to his NFL opportunity.
The 2026 CFL Draft will take place on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
