David Onyemata (born November 13, 1992) is a Nigerian professional American football nose tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Manitoba Bisons.
Early life Onyemata is a native of Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the Chrisland Schools but he graduated from Rainbow College. He immigrated, on his own, to Winnipeg in 2011 to attend college at the University of Manitoba.
University career Onyemata had never seen a gridiron football game until he came to Winnipeg, but he became a standout player for the Manitoba Bisons. He won the 2015 J. P. Metras Trophy as the top down lineman in CIS football,Kirk Penton, "Manitoba Bisons David Onyemata wins J.P. Metras trophy as top down lineman in CIS", Winnipeg Sun, November 26, 2015. was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, and became the top Canadian prospect in the 2016 draft."David Onyemata only Canadian with good shot at NFL draft", Toronto Sun, April 26, 2016.
Professional career
New Orleans Saints Onyemata was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft as the 120th overall pick. He was the first player from the University of Manitoba ever selected for the NFL draft, and the twelfth NFL draft pick from the CIS (now U Sports). The Saints traded their fifth round picks for 2016 and 2017 to Washington in order to draft Onyemata.Larry Holder, "Saints trade up for mystery man Canadian DT David Onyemata", The Times-Picayune, April 30, 2016."Bison defensive lineman David Onyemata makes history as first Manitoba Bisons football player selected in NFL Draft by New Orleans Saints in the 4th round (120th overall pick) in the 2016 NFL Draft", Manitoba Bisons, April 30, 2016. He was also selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the fourth round of the 2016 CFL draft.
In 2018, Onyemata played in all 16 games with four starts, recording 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Onyemata was suspended the first game of the 2019 season for violating the league's substances of abuse policy. He was reinstated to the active roster on September 10, 2019.
On March 18, 2020, Onyemata signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Saints.
In Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, Onyemata recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Tom Brady during the 38–3 win.
On March 3, 2021, Onyemata agreed to convert part of his $7 million base salary into a signing bonus to free up cap space for New Orleans. On July 16, Onyemata was suspended six games by the NFL after testing positive for a banned substance.
Atlanta Falcons On March 16, 2023, Onyemata signed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting him with his former Saints position coach, Ryan Nielsen, who was named the Falcons defensive coordinator.
In his three years in Atlanta, Onyemata was an every-game starter as an interior defensive lineman, posting career numbers across the board.
New York Jets On March 12, 2026, Onyemata signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the New York Jets. He suffered a groin injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 22.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD 2016 NOR 16 0 18 11 7 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 NOR 16 6 38 18 20 2.0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2018 NOR 16 4 35 23 12 4.5 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2019 NOR 15 15 32 22 10 3.0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2020 NOR 15 15 44 20 24 6.5 10 1 3 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2021 NOR 11 11 34 12 22 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -6 0 2022 NOR 17 17 43 25 18 5.0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2023 ATL 14 14 50 25 25 4.0 6 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 2024 ATL 17 16 45 23 22 3.0 8 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2025 ATL 17 17 62 29 33 1.0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 154 115 401 208 193 31.0 49 1 3 3 0 10 3 0 2 -6 0
Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds Lng TD PD FF Fum FR Yds TD 2017 NOR 2 0 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 NOR 2 1 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 NOR 1 1 3 2 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 NOR 2 2 5 1 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career 7 4 15 6 9 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
References
External links
New York Jets bio Manitoba Bisons bio