New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata has come a long way from his first brush with football, having taken up the sport while studying environmental science at the University Manitoba. As a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria, he hadn’t encountered the game at all until he wanted a constructive use of his free time between classes.
In the years since, Onyemata has emerged as a big piece of the Saints offensive line. He’s amassed 6.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in his first three seasons, and is the projected starter with Sheldon Rankins on the mend following surgery back in January to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.