First ever UBC NFL draftee

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It’s an exciting weekend for the University of British Columbia as Giovanni Manu was drafted into the NFL in this year’s draft.

Giovanni Manu, the Pitt Meadows native, was selected in the 4th round on Saturday, April 27th and became the first ever UBC player to ever be drafted into the NFL. He now has the opportunity to become the 4th UBC Thunderbird to play in the NFL, behind Bill Crawford (OL – New York Giants), Brant Bengen (WR – Seattle Seahawks), and Dakoda Shepley, who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Manu is an offensive lineman, who stands at 6 foot 8 and weighs 352 pounds, hopes to be a great addition to the Detroit Lions this season. Giovanni said that he couldn’t be more excited to join the Lions, who made it to the NFC Conference Championship game last season.

“My phone started ringing, it was a Detroit area code and I just picked it up and it was head coach Dan Campbell on the phone… I had my whole family beside me and the first thing he said when I picked up the phone, he yelled through: ‘are you ready to be a Lion?!’ I was just so ecstatic, all the emotions were running through me. I told him 110 percent I’m ready to be a Lion and represent the great city of Detroit.” Giovanni Manu, Offensive Lineman, Detroit Lions.

As a two-time All-Canadian, Manu was essential to the success of UBC’s offence since his rookie year. The Thunderbirds had the number one ranked offence in 2023, and he helped lead his team to the Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl titles. With these credentials, Manu was looked as one of the biggest sleeper picks in this year’s draft. His pro-day was next to unheard of for a man his size, as he ran 5.03 40-yard dash, which is the tenth fastest time for an offensive lineman, even though he ranks as the second heaviest player to attempt it. The Thunderbirds team was highly talented over the past few years, and although many of them didn’t get drafted to the NFL, many of them are touted to be drafted in this year’s CFL draft on Tuesday April 30th.

Giovanni was one of four Canadians to be drafted this year, along with two others who signed as free agents. Theo Johnson was drafted by the New York Giants, Isaiah Adams was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, Qwan’Tez Stiggers was drafted by the New York jets and Tanner McLachlan was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rookie mini-camp starts on May 11th, and Giovanni Manu will be looking to make a huge impact there, as he looks to make his NFL debut later this year.

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