While there will be many top-tier players eligible for the upcoming 2023 CFL Draft in the spring, one player who will not be drafted is UBC Thunderbirds offensive lineman Giovanni Manu.

Manu, who started his football journey as a lineman for Pitt Meadows Secondary, announced his decision to opt out of the draft due to what he considers to be unfinished business with the Thunderbirds.

害羞草研究所淢yself and the team came up short of getting out of conference last season,害羞草研究所� said Manu. 害羞草研究所淲e lost in the conference championship and that was one game I really wanted to win. I sat around and did a lot of thinking afterwards and decided why not come back one more year, win the conference, and have a shot at a national championship.害羞草研究所�

The news of his deferral made a big impact on the upcoming draft, since Manu had recently been named the 15th-best draft prospect.

Thunderbirds lineman Theo Benedet, who was ranked as the 8th-highest draft prospect, also announced his deferral to the 2024 draft as well.

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In addition to getting another shot at winning a national championship, Manu害羞草研究所檚 decision was also influenced by more personal reasons.

害羞草研究所淪taying an extra year helps me get closer to getting my degree, which is something my parents want me to achieve,害羞草研究所� said Manu.

害羞草研究所淪taying an extra year also helps me develop more physically and mentally as a football player. I know the pros will be a level I will play at, but I don害羞草研究所檛 want to rush my development, so coming back one more year helps.害羞草研究所�

Manu害羞草研究所檚 draft year will now be deferred to 2024, which he believes can have only a positive impact on where and when he gets drafted.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 believe deferring will affect my draft selection. If I didn害羞草研究所檛 opt out of this year害羞草研究所檚 draft, I was told by my coach害羞草研究所檚 I would potentially be taken in the first two rounds in the CFL, which is good.害羞草研究所�

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With the draft no longer looming over him, Manu has now set his sights on the next Thunderbirds season and finally bringing home a national title.

害羞草研究所淢y focus for my potential last year with the Thunderbirds is to work my hardest in the gym and on the field this off-season so that when the season begins in the fall I害羞草研究所檓 ready to compete at a level my opponents can害羞草研究所檛 keep up with. And hopefully, by the end of the season, I hear my name called in the NFL draft selection.害羞草研究所�

UBC Thunderbirds finished the 2022 postseason with a 23-8 loss to the U of S Huskies in the Canada West Final of the Hardy Cup.