David Onyemata


David Onyemata is a Nigerian-Canadian professional American football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Manitoba.

Early years

Onyemata is a native of Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the Chrisland Schools but he graduated from Rainbow College. 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, was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, and became the top Canadian prospect in the 2016 draft.

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. As of the 2020 NFL Draft, he remains the most recent draft selection from CIS/U Sports. He was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fourth round of the 2016 CFL Draft.
In 2018, Onyemata played in all 16 games with four starts, recording 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Onyemata was suspended the first game of the 2019 season for violating the league's substances of abuse policy. He was reinstated to the active roster on September 10, 2019.
On March 18, 2020, Onyemata signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Saints.