NFL CAREER – Possessing a unique combination of size and speed and the ability to play several positions on the defensive line, this Lagos, Nigeria native earned a spot on New Orleans' defensive line rotation his rookie campaign after enjoying a productive college career north of the border at the University of Manitoba. Onyemata was the first member of the Bisons program to be drafted. Onyemata continued to flourish in 2021 with a formidable Saints defensive front that ranked first in the NFL in red zone defense, starting all 11 games he played in, recording 34 tackles (12 solo), 2.0 sacks and his first career fumble recovery. He signed a three-year contract at the beginning of the 2020 offseason and has developed into a dominant force on New Orleans' defensive front.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Re-signed to a three-year contract, 3/19/20; Signed to a four-year contract, 5/18/16; Selected by the Saints in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
2021 – Started all 11 games he played in, recording 34 tackles (12 solo), 2.0 sacks and his first career fumble recovery…Missed the first six games of the season due to suspension…Vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 31, in his first action of the 2021 season, recovered one fumble in the second quarter on a strip of Tom Brady by Cameron Jordan, the first of his career…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 7, tied a career-high with seven tackles (two solo)…At Tennessee, Nov. 14, finished with five tackles (three solo)…At Philadelphia, Nov. 21, recorded four tackles (two solo), reaching 200 for his career, with a split sack…Vs. Dallas, Dec. 2, recorded four tackles (one solo)…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 19, recorded six tackles (two solo) with one tackle for loss and a sack…Vs. Carolina 1/2/22, started his 50th career game and finished with two tackles (one solo) with a tackle for loss…At Atlanta, 1/9/22, finished with three tackles and a split sack. 2020 – Started all 15 regular season games he played in and tallied a career-high 44 tackles (20 solo), a career-high 6.5 sacks, one interception and a career-high two passes defensed in helping with a run defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in both yards per game (93.9) and yards per play (3.85)…Notched five tackles and one sack at Las Vegas, Sept. 21…Had one solo tackle and a sack at Detroit, Oct. 4…Posted five tackles and one sack at Chicago, Nov. 1…Had his first career interception when he picked off Buccaneers' Brady at Tampa Bay, Nov. 8…Finished with three solo tackles and two sacks of Matt Ryan vs. Atlanta, Nov. 22…Posted four tackles (two solo) and one sack at Atlanta, Dec. 6….Had three assisted tackles and split a sack with Malcolm Jenkins vs. Minnesota, Dec. 25…In the Wild Card Game against Chicago, 1/10/21, had two assisted tackles as New Orleans gave up only 48 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.5 avg.)…Posted three tackles (one solo) in the Divisional Playoff Game vs. Tampa Bay, 1/17/21. 2019 – Started all 15 regular season games he played in and tallied 32 tackles (22 solo), three sacks and one pass defensed in helping with a run defense ranked fourth in the NFL…Notched three tackles and a sack of Dak Prescott vs. Dallas, Sept. 29…Had two solo tackles and a sack of Kyle Allen vs. Carolina, Nov. 24…In the Wild Card Game against Minnesota, 1/5/20, had three tackles (two solo). 2018 – Played in all 16 regular season games with four starts in 2018, Onyemata posted 36 tackles, in helping with a run defense that ranked second in the National Football League, adding 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a pass defensed. Played in both postseason contests making one start, and tallied four tackles (two solo). At Dallas, Nov. 29, played on defense and special teams and tallied a career-high three sacks, as part of a career-high seven-tackle effort (four solo) with a forced fumble…At Carolina, Dec. 17, played on defense and special teams, recording two solo tackles and a sack…Vs. Carolina, Dec. 30, played on both defense and special teams and tallied two tackles (one solo) and a split sack. 2017 – Played in all 16 games with starts in last six contests and tallied a career-high 40 tackles, two sacks and a pass defensed. In two postseason contests, posted three tackles…Recorded his first career sack in the win over Miami at London's Wembley Stadium, Oct. 1. Part of a line that held Miami to 86 yards rushing in 20-0 shutout…Recorded four assisted tackles and a split sack vs. Tampa Bay, Nov. 5…Starting with contest at Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 26, where he had two assisted tackles, opened last six games following a season-ending injury to Alex Okafor…Recorded two tackles in the Divisional Round loss at Minnesota, 1/14/18. 2016 – Appeared in 16 games in his rookie season, totaling 32 tackles, 15 of which were solo stops…Saw action on defense and on special teams in the team's season opener vs. Oakland, Sept. 11, recording two tackles (one solo)…Saw action on defense vs. Carolina, Oct. 16 and recorded a career-high five tackles…Played on defense vs. Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 27 and posted three tackles (one solo)…Vs. Detroit, Dec. 4, recorded four tackles (one solo).
COLLEGE – Over 37 career games at the University of Manitoba, he posted 166 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, becoming the first member of the Bisons program to be drafted…As a senior, was named a Canada West all-star for the second straight campaign, an all-Canadian for the first time and claimed the J.P. Metras Trophy as the top down lineman in CIS football. Second in the conference and ninth in the country with five sacks in eight league games and ranked second in Canada West in tackles for a loss (7.5) and 12th in overall tackles (38.5). Overall in nine contests, all which he started at nose tackle, made 50 stops, five sacks, one pass defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Selected to play in East West Shrine game…Started all eight conference games as a junior and made 3.5 tackles for losses while registering 1.5 sacks, as part of 28 total tackles…Played in 11 games with 10 starts at nose tackle and posted 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks…As a sophomore, tallied 53 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed, starting all 11 games he played in at nose tackle…In his first season of organized football, played in seven games and recorded 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and one split sack…Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science.
PERSONAL – Last name is pronounced "un-ye-mat-tah"…Attended the Chrisland Schools in Lagos, Nigeria…Did not play football until entering college, as he played soccer as a youth…Played in New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame golf tournaments in New Orleans and Biloxi, Miss. in 2018…Participated in a football camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center for youth from St. Michael's Special School in the 2019 offseason…In 2019, participated in "#DoRight4LA Day with the New Orleans Saints and Dudley DeBosier" volunteering with teammates to complete renovations to the exterior of a house…Born Ebuka Onyemata on Nov. 13, 1992.
