No. 26 Saskatchewan Roughriders | |
Born: | Lagos, Nigeria [1] | May 23, 1994
---|---|
Career information | |
Status | Active |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | Defensive back |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Weight | 200 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 | |
Honours | 3x 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).
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]
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]
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]
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]
Micah Johnson is a professional Canadian 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.
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. 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 football defensive lineman who is currently a member of the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). 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.
Jordan Herdman-Reed is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Simon Fraser Clan.
Justin Herdman-Reed is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Simon Fraser Clan.
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.
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.
Isaiah Guzylak-Messam is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Robert Smith is a professional Canadian football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Micah Teitz is a Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Kene Onyeka is a professional Canadian football defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Jordan Beaulieu is a professional Canadian football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He played U Sports football at Western University. Beaulieu has also been a member of the Edmonton Elks and the Ottawa Redblacks.
Trevor Hoyte is a professional Canadian football linebacker who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Brandon Calver is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Tanner Gaskill-Cadwallader is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Brian Harelimana is a Rwandan-born Canadian 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.
Bryce Bell is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Adam Auclair is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Brad Cowan is a Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).