April was a big month for Pitt Meadows alumni Giovanni Manu, with the massive offensive lineman getting drafted not just once, but twice.

His name was first called in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the Detroit Lions snatching up Manu as the 126th overall pick.

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This marked a massive milestone achievement not just for Manu, but also for the UBC Thunderbirds and the entire U Sports organization.

In addition to being the first U Sports player to be drafted in the NFL since David Onyemata in 2016, Manu also became the first UBC player ever drafted by the American league.

The moment when became the newest member of . Shoutout to agent & who made sure this kid didnB次元官网网址檛 stay hidden

B次元官网网址� Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN)

Three days later, ManuB次元官网网址檚 name was called once again, this time by the CFL.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked up Manu in the fifth round, making him the 46th overall pick.

Only six picks earlier, the Blue Bombers chose another offensive lineman, Ethan Kalra from the Waterloo Warriors, with the team picking a total of four offensive linemen, which general manager Kyle Walters said was a main part of the teamB次元官网网址檚 strategy heading into the 2024 Draft.

B次元官网网址淥n the offensive side of the ball, weB次元官网网址檙e projecting six Canadian starters, but we wanted to add some depth there,B次元官网网址� said Walters.

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With Manu already being drafted in the NFL, he was an interesting choice for the Blue Bombers, which Walters defended by saying it was a B次元官网网址榖etter safe than sorryB次元官网网址� decision.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l sit and wait, and wish him the best of luck down there, and if it doesnB次元官网网址檛 work out down there and he wants to keep playing football then itB次元官网网址檒l be nice to have his rights. But again, itB次元官网网址檚 one thatB次元官网网址檚 kind of a long shot,B次元官网网址� said Walters.

B次元官网网址淎t a certain point in the draft, youB次元官网网址檙e like letB次元官网网址檚 take a hail mary.B次元官网网址�

It was the same raw athleticism that drew the interest of more than a dozen NFL teams, that made Manu a highly-anticipated draft prospect for the Blue Bombers.

B次元官网网址淔or a big man like that to move as well as he did, that caught everybodyB次元官网网址檚 attention,B次元官网网址� said Walters.

B次元官网网址淭he NFL, like every single football league, is looking for NFL linemen. If you think youB次元官网网址檝e found a big guy that might have a huge upside, theyB次元官网网址檙e certainly willing to let him develop down there for sure.B次元官网网址�

The Blue Bombers are coming off four consecutive Grey Cup appearances, having won their last championship back in 2021.