BC’s Giovanni Manu becomes first UBC player to be drafted into the NFL

UBC football history was made this past Saturday as Giovanni Manu heard his name called by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.

The Pitt Meadows, BC, native became the first-ever Thunderbird to be drafted into the NFL and the 15th overall player to be selected directly from a U Sports university.

"My phone started ringing, it was a Detroit area code and I just picked up and it was head coach Dan Campbell on the phone," said Manu to UBC staff.

"I had my whole family beside me and the first thing he said when I picked up the phone, he yelled through: 'Are you ready to be a Lion?!' I was just so ecstatic, all the emotions were running through me. I told him 110% I'm ready to be a Lion and represent the great city of Detroit."

🎥 @NFLNetwork breakdown of new #Lions tackle @itsyaboigio @NFLCanada pic.twitter.com/7FvSGflK8h

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 27, 2024

Manu has started every game for the Thunderbirds since his rookie season in 2019 and has the opportunity to be the fourth UBC alumni to appear in an NFL game.

After the draft ended on Saturday, one of Manu’s close teammates also found a new home in the NFL.

North Vancouver’s Theo Benedet signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent.

Benedet, also an offensive lineman, was named U Sports’ most outstanding lineman this past fall, becoming the first player to win the award more than once.

The lineman has also started in every UBC game since his rookie season in 2019 and built a relationship with the Bears over the past year.

"You just think about all the great players and characters, Mike Ditka and everybody," Benedet said to UBC staff.

"To be a Chicago Bear is surreal and crazy."

_{With files from UBC}