Bison Onyemata excels at Pro Day workout in front of 17 NFL teams

Onyemata is the first Manitoba Bisons to hold a pro day football workout and there were 17 NFL teams represented along with 1 CFL in attendance at the special day

On Monday, March 14 at the University of Manitoba campus (Investors Group Field/Subway Soccer South – Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex), Manitoba Bisons football player David Onyemata had his official pro day football workout in front of 17 NFL (National Football League) teams and one CFL (Canadian Football League) team in attendance at the special day.

Onyemata, 23, was the first Manitoba Bisons to hold a pro day workout and excelled during the weight room and on-field workout/drills. The Lagos, Nigeria native had a busy day at both facilities and received high marks from those in attendance.

“I felt pretty good and I received some good feedback today from teams,” commented Onyemata after his Pro Day. “I wasn’t thinking numbers and I just wanted to do the best I could. I felt I did really good and was pumped throughout the day. It would be really great if I got picked and happy to get the opportunity.”

Onyemata made an impression to the large contingent of NFL coaches and scouts with his numbers registered during the Pro Day.

Bison David Onyemata Pro Day Football Workout Official Measurements during Monday, March 14 at University of Manitoba

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 300 lbs.

Hand Length: 10 3/8

Arm Length: 33 1/4

Wingspan: 82 1/4

Vertical Jump: 33”

Broad Jump: 9’11”

Bench Press: 33 reps

40 Yard Dash (1): 5.09

40 Yard Dash (2): 5.06

3-Cone: 7.25 secs

Pro Agility (5-10-5) shuttle: 4.65 secs

Onyemata’s day started by preparing for the weight room workout at the Manitoba Bisons football facility at the stadium where his measurements (Height/Weight/Arms/Flexibility) were taken plus vertical jump and bench press. Then afterwards, he went over to Subway Soccer South – Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex where he was tested for over an hour with numerous tests/drills including broad jump, 40-yard dash, Pro Agility (5-10-5) drill, 3-Cone drill and defensive lineman specific drills.

During the on-field drills, two defensive line coaches (Bill Johnson of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Wilson of the Philadelphia Eagles) were assisting with the drills with Onyemata. Johnson commented after the Pro Day, “We tested him athletically on runs, jumps and then put him some football specific drills and thought he faired well and represented himself well. One thing that is different, normally we do this 3-4 people at a time or normally do it at a combine with 30-40 players at a time. He had a lot people here with a lot of eyes on him and I thought he did a good job of handling it and going right back-to-back. I thought he was in good condition. I think it is remarkable in what he has done in far of learning the game of football in four year period and I think he’s got a glimmer of hope to continue this process and just see where it takes him.”

The 6’4”, 300 lbs. defensive lineman finished his fourth playing season at Manitoba in the 2015 season and was selected as 2015 J.P. Metras Trophy award winner, which is presented to the Outstanding Down Lineman of the Year in CIS Football in November 2015. He had an award-winning season as was also named 2015 CIS First Team All-Canadian at the defensive tackle position (first time for him to earn this CIS recognition) along with earning 2015 Canada West All-Star Team selection.

The NFL Draft 2016 will take place in Chicago from April 28–30 and will have seven rounds picked.

Other quotes from Onyemata’s Pro Day:

Carter Chow, David Onyemata’s agent, commented, “This was a great day for David and the numbers speak for themselves. We were originally hoping for 2-3 teams and this exceeded our expectations with the turnout. People were impressed by his explosiveness and he had numbers comparable to Division 1 players. This is a very good first step for David.”

Brian Dobie, Bison Football head coach, said, “Today was a great day for David Onyemata. It was his day and he nailed it! All of his measureables ranked at the very top of those at the NFL combine. All of his perseverance and training paid off when everything was on the line for him at his Pro Day in front of pro coaches and scouts. I’m confident that David’s performance today will result in him getting drafted in the NFL.”