Manitoba Bisons' David Onyemata drafted by New Orleans Saints
23-year-old defensive lineman 1st Manitoba player to be drafted by the NFL
A historic first for David Onyemata.
The Manitoba Bisons defensive lineman was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the NFL draft Saturday.
Congratulations!...<a href="https://twitter.com/umbisons">@umbisons</a> David Onyemata first Bison drafted into NFL!...New Orleans selects <a href="https://twitter.com/ACES_E">@ACES_E</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gobisons?src=hash">#gobisons</a> <a href="https://t.co/rZ4mhXgZTi">pic.twitter.com/rZ4mhXgZTi</a>
—@umbisonsThe six-foot-three, 300-pound Onyemata became the first Manitoba player even taken by an NFL squad and fourth Canadian university performer selected in eight years.
The Nigerian-born Onyemata only took up playing football upon arriving at Manitoba but last season was named Canadian university football's top lineman.
And earlier this week, he was named the top prospect by the CFL scouting bureau for the league's draft May 10.
Onyemata impressed at his pro day, registering 33 reps in the bench press, which would've been tops among defensive linemen at the NFL combine.
The 23-year-old also posted a 33-inch vertical and broad jump of nine feet 11 inches.
In 2012, the Saints took Regina Rams defensive lineman Akiem Hicks in the third round of the NFL draft.