David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years

SmashMouth · 05-01-2016, 08:56 AM

Five years ago, Manitoba football coach Brian Dobie heard a quiet knock on the door of his office.

In walked 18-year-old David Onyemata, a 6-foot-4 giant of a teenager who weighed 330 pounds at the time and had never picked up a football in his life.

"I never knew anything about it or the process, and I hadn't seen the game until I got to Canada," Onyemata said.

Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun.

"All I did was go to school and go back home," Onyemata said. "I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team."

Dobie said he'd give him a week's tryout.

What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect.

On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL.

"David's a great story, he's a guy you would say is a self-made guy," Payton told the NFL Network on Saturday. "I love the kid's makeup. He's one of those guys that has had to accomplish a lot to be where he is now."

"Up here in Canada, we're literally calling him Cinderella," Dobie said.

read more

Cruize · 05-01-2016, 09:21 AM

Everybody has size and skills in the NFL. Brutal game and business. Saints reaching for a boom. I think Billings would have been a better pick. I hope I'm wrong.

QBREES9 · 05-01-2016, 12:26 PM

Another wait and see.

SmashMouth · 05-01-2016, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by QBREES9

Another wait and see.

... just you wait and see!

Crusader · 05-01-2016, 07:12 PM

If nothing else it shows that the kid has the drive to succeed.

frydaddy · 05-01-2016, 09:52 PM

I like the pick in theory. Obviously only time will tell what we've got in him but I'm certainly rooting for him. My gripe lies in the cost to make the pick. Just not a fan of constantly going into drafts with so few picks. Hope he's worth it.

joker-saint · 05-04-2016, 10:23 PM

The cap space on the team was so bad they probably couldn't have afforded to have so many picks. It was most likely better to give two picks away so they only had to worry about one player. They had players on there draft board they wanted and they probably got most of them.

NonieT · 05-07-2016, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by joker-saint

The cap space on the team was so bad they probably couldn't have afforded to have so many picks. It was most likely better to give two picks away so they only had to worry about one player. They had players on there draft board they wanted and they probably got most of them.

When did Loomis let lack of cap space keep him from signing the player they've wanted? The Saints under Payton and Loomis have always done this. Be aggressive to get the player they want. It drives me crazy but it is what it is.

joker-saint · 05-04-2016, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

Five years ago, Manitoba football coach Brian Dobie heard a quiet knock on the door of his office.

In walked 18-year-old David Onyemata, a 6-foot-4 giant of a teenager who weighed 330 pounds at the time and had never picked up a football in his life.

"I never knew anything about it or the process, and I hadn't seen the game until I got to Canada," Onyemata said.

Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun.

"All I did was go to school and go back home," Onyemata said. "I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team."

Dobie said he'd give him a week's tryout.

What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect.

On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL.

"David's a great story, he's a guy you would say is a self-made guy," Payton told the NFL Network on Saturday. "I love the kid's makeup. He's one of those guys that has had to accomplish a lot to be where he is now."

"Up here in Canada, we're literally calling him Cinderella," Dobie said.

read more

I guarantee you this will be another amazing fourth round pick.

Rugby Saint II · 05-06-2016, 11:34 AM

Camp beast at the very least!!!

05-01-2016, 08:56 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,477 Blog Entries: 29	David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Five years ago, Manitoba football coach Brian Dobie heard a quiet knock on the door of his office. In walked 18-year-old David Onyemata, a 6-foot-4 giant of a teenager who weighed 330 pounds at the time and had never picked up a football in his life. "I never knew anything about it or the process, and I hadn't seen the game until I got to Canada," Onyemata said. Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun. "All I did was go to school and go back home," Onyemata said. "I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team." Dobie said he'd give him a week's tryout. What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect. On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL. "David's a great story, he's a guy you would say is a self-made guy," Payton told the NFL Network on Saturday. "I love the kid's makeup. He's one of those guys that has had to accomplish a lot to be where he is now." "Up here in Canada, we're literally calling him Cinderella," Dobie said. read more Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2016, 09:21 AM	#2
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Everybody has size and skills in the NFL. Brutal game and business. Saints reaching for a boom. I think Billings would have been a better pick. I hope I'm wrong.
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457

05-01-2016, 12:26 PM	#3
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,989	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Another wait and see.

05-01-2016, 06:40 PM	#4
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,477 Blog Entries: 29	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Originally Posted by QBREES9 Another wait and see. ... just you wait and see! Danno and Rugby Saint II like this.

05-01-2016, 07:12 PM	#5
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,030	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years If nothing else it shows that the kid has the drive to succeed.

05-01-2016, 09:52 PM	#6
frydaddy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lafayette Posts: 1,952 Blog Entries: 1	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years I like the pick in theory. Obviously only time will tell what we've got in him but I'm certainly rooting for him. My gripe lies in the cost to make the pick. Just not a fan of constantly going into drafts with so few picks. Hope he's worth it.

05-04-2016, 10:23 PM	#7
joker-saint 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 382 Blog Entries: 12	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years The cap space on the team was so bad they probably couldn't have afforded to have so many picks. It was most likely better to give two picks away so they only had to worry about one player. They had players on there draft board they wanted and they probably got most of them.

05-07-2016, 06:45 PM	#8
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Originally Posted by joker-saint The cap space on the team was so bad they probably couldn't have afforded to have so many picks. It was most likely better to give two picks away so they only had to worry about one player. They had players on there draft board they wanted and they probably got most of them. When did Loomis let lack of cap space keep him from signing the player they've wanted? The Saints under Payton and Loomis have always done this. Be aggressive to get the player they want. It drives me crazy but it is what it is.
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921

05-04-2016, 10:12 PM	#9
joker-saint 100th Post Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 382 Blog Entries: 12	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Originally Posted by SmashMouth Five years ago, Manitoba football coach Brian Dobie heard a quiet knock on the door of his office. In walked 18-year-old David Onyemata, a 6-foot-4 giant of a teenager who weighed 330 pounds at the time and had never picked up a football in his life. "I never knew anything about it or the process, and I hadn't seen the game until I got to Canada," Onyemata said. Onyemata, an international student far away from his home of Nigeria, needed an activity. Football sounded fun. "All I did was go to school and go back home," Onyemata said. "I had so much free time that I needed to do something. I ended up trying out for the team." Dobie said he'd give him a week's tryout. What happened over the next five years is so remarkable Dobie got emotional when he spoke to reporters on Saturday. Onyemata transformed from a football neophyte to a sought after NFL defensive lineman prospect. On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints traded up to get Onyemata in the fourth round, making him the first player from the University of Mantioba to be drafted in the NFL. "David's a great story, he's a guy you would say is a self-made guy," Payton told the NFL Network on Saturday. "I love the kid's makeup. He's one of those guys that has had to accomplish a lot to be where he is now." "Up here in Canada, we're literally calling him Cinderella," Dobie said. read more I guarantee you this will be another amazing fourth round pick. K Major likes this.

05-06-2016, 11:34 AM	#10
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,117	Re: David Onyemata's path from Nigeria to the NFL took only 5 years Camp beast at the very least!!!

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