Kene Onyeka
Kene Onyeka (born November 18, 1996) is a professional Canadian football defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). University career. Onyeka played U Sports football for the Carleton Ravens from 2014 to 2018. In 2017, Onyeka was named a First Team All-Canadian and the OUA top lineman as he recorded 32 solo tackles, including 12.5 tackles for a loss, 14 assisted tackles, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He repeated both awards following the 2018 season, despite only playing in six of the eight regular season games as he had 21 solo  tackles (10.5 tackles for a loss), six assisted tackles, and seven sacks. Professional career. While eligible to be selected in the 2018 CFL Draft, Onyeka informed Canadian Football League teams that he planned to return to university to complete his mechanical engineering degree at Carleton University. He had been ranked as the 14th best player available in the draft in the winter rankings, but his draft stock fell as teams knew he would not play for them in 2018. Nonetheless, he was drafted with the 29th overall selection, in the fourth round, of the 2018 draft by the Ottawa Redblacks  and signed with the team on May 16, 2018. After attending 2018 training camp, he returned to complete his final year of U Sports eligibility. After his fifth season with the Ravens, Onyeka re-signed with the Redblacks on December 3, 2018. He began the 2019 season on the practice roster, but was promoted to the active roster and played in his first professional game on August 2, 2019 against the Montreal Alouettes. He played in six regular season games that year and recorded three special teams tackles. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season, Onyeka did not  play in 2020. Instead, he signed a contract extension with the Redblacks on January 6, 2021. Following training camp, he made the team's opening day roster and made his first defensive tackle on August 7, 2021 against the Edmonton Elks. Later in the year, he recorded his first two career sacks on October 11, 2021 in the Thanksgiving Day Classic against the Montreal Alouettes when he brought down Vernon Adams twice in the game. Personal life. Onyeka was born in Lagos, Nigeria to parents Jane and Godfrey Onyeka Sr. He moved with his family to Canada when he was  nine years old and grew up in Brampton, Ontario. His older brother, Godfrey Onyeka, plays professionally in the CFL as a defensive back. 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.