Johany Jutras/CFL
TORONTO — Chris Jones has added a key future piece to the Riders, selecting the number one prospect in the CFL Scouting Bureau in David Onyemata.
A graduate of the University of Manitoba, Onyemata had 50 tackles and five sacks in his final CIS season with the Bisons, his stock skyrocketing after holding his own pro day following the CFL Combine. The Riders took him with the 35th overall pick.
The 6-foot-3 interior defensive lineman was drafted by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in the fourth round back in April.
While Jones put an emphasis on players that could contribute right away going into the draft, Onyemata’s talent was likely too great to pass on in the fifth. CFL scouts told CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk that there’s a chance David Onyemata will never play north of the border.
If he does, though, the payout could be significant down the road for a Riders team looking to bolster its Canadian talent.
The Riders selected big Oklahoma tackle Josiah St. John earlier in the draft before taking Calgary’s Elie Bouka (defensive back) in the third along with kicker Quinn van Glyswyk (UBC).
Follow the draft live and see full results with the CFL.ca Draft Tracker.
