David Onyemata

David Onyemata (born November 13, 1992) is an American football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Manitoba.

Early years

Onyemata is a native of Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the Chrisland Schools. He immigrated, on his own, to Winnipeg in 2011 to attend college.

College career

Onyemata had never seen a gridiron football game until he came to Winnipeg, but he became a standout player for the Bisons. He won the 2015 J. P. Metras Trophy as the top down lineman in CIS football,^[1] was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, and became the top Canadian prospect in the 2016 draft.^[2]

Professional career

Onyemata was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft as the 120th overall pick. He was the first player from the University of Manitoba ever selected for the NFL draft, and the twelfth NFL draft pick from the CIS. The Saints traded their fifth round picks for 2016 and 2017 to Washington in order to draft Onyemata.^[3][4] He was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fourth round of the 2016 CFL Draft.^[5]

References

External links

• Manitoba Bisons bio