| No. 99 Ottawa Redblacks | |
 Onyeka with the Redblacks in 2022 | |
| Born: | (1996-11-18)November 18, 1996 (age 28) Lagos, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | 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 | 2xFirst Team All-Canadian (2017,2018) |
| Career stats | |
| |
Kene Onyeka (born November 18, 1996) is aNigerian-Canadian professionalprofessionaldefensive lineman for theOttawa Redblacks of theCanadian Football League (CFL).
Onyeka playedU Sports football for theCarleton Ravens from 2014 to 2018.[1] In2017, Onyeka was named aFirst Team All-Canadian and theOUA 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.[2][3] He repeated both awards following the2018 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.[4]
While eligible to be selected in the2018 CFL Draft, Onyeka informedCanadian Football League teams that he planned to return to university to complete his mechanical engineering degree atCarleton University.[1] 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.[5] Nonetheless, he was drafted with the 29th overall selection, in the fourth round, of the 2018 draft by theOttawa Redblacks and signed with the team on May 16, 2018.[6] 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.[7] He began the2019 season on the practice roster, but was promoted to the active roster and played in his first professional game on August 2, 2019, against theMontreal Alouettes.[8] He played in six regular season games that year and recorded three special teams tackles.[9]
Due to the cancellation of the2020 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 theEdmonton Elks.[11] Later in the year, he recorded his first two career sacks on October 11, 2021 in theThanksgiving Day Classic against theMontreal Alouettes when he brought downVernon Adams twice in the game.[12] He played in 13 regular season games in2021 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]
Onyeka was born inLagos,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 inBrampton,Ontario.[14] His older brother,Godfrey Onyeka, plays professionally in the CFL as adefensive back.[14] His cousin,Nakas Onyeka, playedlinebacker and was drafted by theToronto Argonauts, and his other cousin, Kosi Onyeka, a defensive back, signed with theSaskatchewan Roughriders.[14]
Media related toKene Onyeka at Wikimedia Commons