Four Manitoba Bisons were selected in the 2016 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft on Tuesday, May 10. Fourth year defensive lineman David Onyemata, fourth year offensive lineman Alex McKay, fourth year slotback Alex Vitt and fourth year linebacker DJ Lalama were selected during the eight rounds. The Bisons were tied for sixth most players selected by any one school during the 2016 CFL Draft.

In the CFL Draft, the Manitoba Bisons have now accounted for the third most university football players drafted since 2001 with 37 selections, while Laval leads with 50 and second place Calgary with 43 during the last 16 drafts. The Bisons had players selected in 13 of the last 16 CFL Drafts: 2001 (2), 2002 (7), 2003 (3), 2005 (3), 2006 (1), 2007 (2), 2008 (5), 2009 (1), 2010 (1), 2012 (1), 2014 (5), 2015 (2) and 2016 (4).

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected David Onyemata in the fourth round (35th overall). Onyemata, 23, made history as the first Manitoba Bisons football player selected in the NFL (National Football League) Draft as he was drafted by New Orleans Saints in the 4th round (120th overall pick) in the 2016 NFL Draft on Saturday, April, 30. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, he has had an amazing journey prior to being selected in the NFL, as he had never played football before moving to Canada only five short years ago from Nigeria. In the five years, the 6'4", 300 lbs. star emerged as a CIS standout as he went from being a red-shirt in his first season at the University of Manitoba to being a CIS major award winner (2015 J.P. Metras Trophy award winner, presented to the Outstanding Down Lineman of the Year in CIS Football). Onyemata also topped the third and final prospect list released by the CFL's Scouting Bureau in April 2016 after producing 38.5 total tackles and five sacks in 2015 conference regular season.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Alex McKay in the sixth round (52nd overall). McKay, 25, started and played in all eight conference regular season games plus one playoff game in 2015. The 6'5", 285 lbs. tackle has played four years and did not miss a start at left tackle (32 consecutive games in regular season and seven in post-season) at Manitoba and the Winnipeg native was a 2013 Canada West All-Star. 

"I worked my entire life for this moment. I'm a proud Prairie boy and staying a Prairie boy as I am excited to be going to Saskatchewan," enthused McKay after receiving the news about his selection.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected Alex Vitt in the seventh round (55th overall). Vitt, 25, was a first time captain in his fourth year with the Herd and finished fourth in conference receiving yards with 711 (on 30 receptions) plus tied for fifth most receiving TDs with four in eight conference regular season games in 2015. In 2014, the 6'1", 205" slotback was second on the team with 28 receptions for 489 receiving yards along with four receiving TDs while starting in seven regular season games. In his four year career at Manitoba, the Winnipeg native accumulated 61 receptions for 1,254 receiving yards while adding nine receiving TDs during the conference regular seasons.

"I am real excited to be picked by the Blue Bombers. It is great to stay in my hometown and play professional football in Winnipeg," said Vitt after his selection.

The Edmonton Eskimos selected DJ Lalama in the eighth round (70th overall). Lalama, 22, was a co-captain for the first time with the Bisons in 2015 in his third season at Manitoba. The 6'1", 230 lbs. linebacker tied for 15th in the conference with 36 total tackles (27 solo) and tied for fifth in Canada West with 5.5 tackles for losses, while playing in six of eight conference regular season games during the 2015 season. In 2014, he had a breakout season as Lalama led the team and second in Canada West with 52.5 total tackles (40 solo) plus added one sack, one interception and one forced fumble while starting in all eight conference regular season games. In his four year career, the Winnipeg native registered 111.5 total tackles (84 solo) plus was invited to the NFL's New York Giants rookie mini-camp that ran from May 6-7, 2016.

"I'm joining the best organization the CFL has to offer. A chip on the shoulder would be an understatement and I'm excited to get to work with my teammates and coaching staff. This team is going to get one hell of a relentless individual on and off the field," said Lalama after his selection.

Manitoba has had a successful 2016 Draft year as one player was already drafted into the NFL (Onyemata) and four players selected by CFL teams.

In addition, during the CFL Draft, the Manitoba Bisons have now accounted for being tied for the fifth most university football players drafted during the last five year period (2012-16) with 12 players. Laval leads with 24 while second place Calgary has 22 plus third place Western at 17 and fourth place McMaster with 14 players. 

"I am extremely happy for all four players to be drafted in the 2016 CFL Draft," commented Bison Football head coach Brian Dobie. "I felt our program had several draft worthy players for this year's draft and pleased that the CFL teams took notice. I know what these young men go through as Bison student-athletes and the work they do and the dream they choose to play football at the professional level. Today, I am happy to see that their hard work and perseverance has paid off and their dreams have been realized."


CFL Draft – Bisons Notes:

Most Bisons drafted in a year: 8 – 1971; 7 – 2002; 5 – 2008, 2014; 4 – 1975, 1977, 1982, 2016
Highest drafted Bison: 2nd overall (1st round) by the Calgary Stampeders – Randy Ambroise (OL) in 1985 
Highest drafted Bison (on offence at slotback position): 6th overall (1st round) by the Saskatchewan Roughriders – Nic Demski (SB) in 2015 
Highest drafted Bisons (on defence): 5th overall (1st round) by the Calgary Stampeders – Wes Lysack (DB) in 2003
Highest drafted Bisons by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (either offence or defence): 7th overall (1st round) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Bob Kraemer (QB) in 1971
Longest consecutive streak of Bisons drafted: 10 years (1970-79); 9 years (1995-2003); 6 years (2005-10); 5 years (1982-86)
Longest consecutive streak of Bisons drafted in 1st round: 2 years (2014-15)

OVERALL BISONS DRAFTED IN CFL DRAFT SINCE 1970 (NOT COUNTING BONUS ROUNDS): 102
BREAKDOWN – 1970-79: 34 (BONUS ROUNDS: 8); 1980-89: 14 (BONUS ROUNDS: 2); 1990-99: 15; 2000-09: 26; 2010-present: 13

BREAKDOWN of MANITOBA BISONS DRAFTED PER ROUND SINCE 1970:
1st: 6
2nd: 6
3rd: 6
4th: 21
5th: 20
6th: 20
7th: 9
8th: 7
9th: 6
10th: 1
(BONUS ROUNDS: 10)