Kene Onyeka
No. 99 Ottawa Redblacks | |
Defensive lineman | |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
---|---|
Weight | 247 lb (112 kg) |
University | Carleton |
CFL draft | 2018, Round: 4, Pick: 29 |
Drafted by | Ottawa Redblacks |
Career history | |
As player | |
2018 | Ottawa Redblacks* |
2019–present | Ottawa Redblacks |
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Honours | 2x |
Career stats | |
|
Kene Onyeka (born November 18, 1996) is a
University career
Onyeka played
Professional career
While eligible to be selected in the
After his fifth season with the Ravens, Onyeka re-signed with the Redblacks on December 3, 2018.[7] 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.[8] He played in six regular season games that year and recorded three special teams tackles.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] He played in 13 regular season games in 2021 where he had 14 defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.[9] Onyeka continued his development into his third season in the league, in which he played in 17 regular season games recording 17 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble. On December 20, 2022 Onyeka and the Redblacks agreed to a two-year contract extension.[13]
Personal life
Onyeka was born in Lagos, Nigeria to parents Jane and Godfrey Onyeka Sr.[14] He moved with his family to Canada when he was nine years old and grew up in Brampton, Ontario.[14] His older brother, Godfrey Onyeka, plays professionally in the CFL as a defensive back.[14] His cousin, Nakas Onyeka, played linebacker and was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts, and his other cousin, Kosi Onyeka, a defensive back, signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[14]
References
- ^ a b Fox, Liam (September 26, 2018). ""Not everyone gets the opportunity to play in front of that many people, so you kind of cherish it": Ravens Star and Redblack-Draftee Kene Onyeka Prepares for His Final Panda Game". ottawalife.com.
- ^ "Onyeka named U Sports 1st Team All-Canadian". Carleton Ravens. June 20, 2018.
- ^ "Carleton's Kene Onyeka honoured with OUA's J.P. Metras Award". Carleton University. November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Kene Onyeka". U Sports. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Onyeka ranked No. 14 on CFL Scouting Bureau's 2018 Draft prospect list". Carleton Ravens. December 13, 2017.
- ^ "Redblacks sign 2018 draft picks". Ottawa Redblacks. May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Baines, Tim (August 2, 2019). "A CLASS ACT: Graduating from Carleton was No. 1 priority for Redblacks' Kene Onyeka". Ottawa Sun.
- ^ a b "Kene Onyeka". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ "Redblacks transactions – New year, new signings". Ottawa Redblacks. January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Ottawa Redblacks vs Edmonton Elks Boxscore". Canadian Football League. August 7, 2021.
- ^ Baines, Tim (October 13, 2021). "SACK-CESS! Nigel Romick and Kene Onyeka provide some sunshine for Redblacks". Ottawa Sun.
- ^ "Defensive lineman Kene Onyeka re-signs with Ottawa Redblacks". TSN. The Canadian Press. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
- ^ a b c d Baines, Tim (March 25, 2018). "All in the family as Onyeka brothers/cousins push each other to excellence". Ottawa Sun.
External links
- Ottawa Redblacks bio
- Media related to Kene Onyeka at Wikimedia Commons