Nikau Hepi is the rare 6-foot-7, 370-pound international OT project with real upside
In the 2026 class, Nikau Hepi arrives at Florida State as a massive, high-ceiling offensive tackle prospect who made a fast jump from rugby to football, which is exactly why scouts love the long-term bet. He’s ranked as high as No. 56 at OT by 247Sports and is described as a three-star lineman with elite size, raw power, and international background from New Zealand’s rugby scene. The fit is intriguing: he’s not a polished day-one technician, but his length, mass, and movement base scream developmental upside for a staff willing to coach patience.
