Godfrey Onyeka

Last updated

Godfrey Onyeka
No. 26     Saskatchewan Roughriders
2024, 26, Godfrey Onyeka.jpg
Onyeka with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
Born: (1994-05-23) May 23, 1994 (age 30)
Lagos, Nigeria [1]
Career information
StatusActive
CFL status National
Position(s) Defensive back
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
University Wilfrid Laurier
High school St. Edmund Campion
CFL draft 2018, Round: 2, Pick: 10
Drafted by Edmonton Eskimos
Career history
As player
2018–2020 Edmonton Eskimos
2021–present Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
Honours3x First Team All-Canadian
(2015, 2016, 2017)
Career stats

Godfrey Onyeka (born May 23, 1994) is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Contents

University career

Onyeka played U Sports football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks from 2014 to 2017. [2] He was a member of the Golden Hawks 2016 Yates Cup championship team and was a three-time U Sports First Team All-Canadian after winning the award in 2015, 2016, and 2017. [2]

Professional career

Edmonton Eskimos

In the CFL Scouting Bureau's Final Rankings, Onyeka was named the 10th best player available in the 2018 CFL Draft. [3] In alignment with his ranking, he was selected with the 10th overall pick in the draft by the Edmonton Eskimos and signed with the team on May 16, 2018. [4] He made the team's roster following training camp and played in the team's season opening game on June 14, 2018, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In his rookie year, he played in nine games where he made two defensive tackles. [5]

In 2019, Onyeka played in all 18 regular season games where he recorded three defensive tackles and 13 special teams tackles. [5] He also played in his first two post-season games, against the Montreal Alouettes in the Semi-Final and then the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Division Final, where he posted three defensive tackles and one special teams tackle over the two games. [5] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season and he became a free agent on February 9, 2021. [6]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On the first day of free agency, on February 9, 2021, Onyeka signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. [7] He made a career-high eight defensive tackles against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on September 11, 2021, in the Banjo Bowl. [5] On February 15, 2023, Onyeka re-signed with the Roughriders. [8]

Personal life

Onyeka was born in Lagos, Nigeria to parents Jane and Godfrey Onyeka Sr. [1] He moved with his family to Canada when he was 11 years old and grew up in Brampton, Ontario. [1] His younger brother, Kene Onyeka, plays professionally in the CFL as a defensive lineman. [1] His cousin, Nakas Onyeka, plays linebacker and was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts, and his other cousin, Kosi Onyeka, plays linebacker for the Guelph Gryphons. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Johnson (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Micah Johnson is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. He has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Calgary Stampeders, BC Lions, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shomari Williams</span> Canadian football coach and recruiter (born 1985)

Shomari Gyasi Williams is the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the UBC Thunderbirds of U Sports football. He is a former professional Canadian football defensive end who played in parts of six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted first overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2010 CFL Draft after Saskatchewan traded up to be in a position to draft him. Williams played one season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before being traded back to Saskatchewan. He played college football for the Queen's Golden Gaels and the Houston Cougars.

Ese Mrabure-Ajufo is a Canadian former professional football defensive lineman. He played CIS football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

Jesse Alexander is a former Canadian football linebacker who played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He played college football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. In 2004, he was named a second-year CIS all-star. The following year, Alexander helped the Golden Hawks win their second Vanier Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Herdman-Reed</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jordan Herdman-Reed is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Simon Fraser Clan. His twin brother Justin Herdman-Reed also plays in the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Herdman-Reed</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1994)

Justin Herdman-Reed is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Simon Fraser Clan. His twin brother Jordan Herdman-Reed also plays in the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nakas Onyeka</span> Canadian football linebacker

Nakas Onyeka is a former professional Canadian football linebacker who played for four seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He first played for the Toronto Argonauts for three seasons and was a member of the 105th Grey Cup championship team. He has also been a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Ackie</span> Professional Canadian football linebacker

Chris Ackie is a former professional Canadian football linebacker. Ackie spent the majority of his professional career playing for the Montreal Alouettes Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks from 2011 to 2014. He was drafted fourth overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2015 CFL Draft. Ackie was also a member of the New York Giants, Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Guzylak-Messam</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Isaiah Guzylak-Messam is a Canadian professional football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Smith (Canadian football)</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1997)

Robert Smith is a Canadian professional football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Teitz</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1996)

Micah Teitz is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kene Onyeka</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1996)

Kene Onyeka is a Nigerian-Canadian professional professional defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Jordan Beaulieu is a Canadian professional football defensive back who is a free agent. He played U Sports football at Western University. Beaulieu has been a member of the Edmonton Elks, Ottawa Redblacks, and Saskatchewan Roughriders

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Hoyte (Canadian football)</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

Trevor Hoyte is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Calver</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1993)

Brandon Calver is a Canadian professional football fullback for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Cadwallader</span> Canadian football player (born 1997)

Tanner Gaskill-Cadwallader is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Harelimana</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Brian Harelimana is a Rwandan-Canadian professional football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football for the Montreal Carabins and was a fourth round draft pick by the Montreal Alouettes in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Bell</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

Bryce Bell is a Canadian professional football offensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Auclair</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1996)

Adam Auclair is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Cowan</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)

Brad Cowan is a Canadian football linebacker who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Baines, Tim (March 25, 2018). "All in the family as Onyeka brothers/cousins push each other to excellence". Ottawa Sun.
  2. 1 2 "Godfrey Onyeka". Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks . Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ↑ Hunter takes top spot in final Central Scouting Bureau rankings, Canadian Football League, April 12, 2018
  4. ↑ "Esks ink Onyeka, rest of 2018 draft class". Canadian Football League. May 16, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Godfrey Onyeka". Canadian Football League . Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League . Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Riders Ink Defensive Backs Jerome And Onyeka". Saskatchewan Roughriders. February 9, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League . Retrieved March 21, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.