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 didn害羞草研究所檛 stay hidden

害羞草研究所� Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN)

Three days later, Manu害羞草研究所檚 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 team害羞草研究所檚 strategy heading into the 2024 Draft.

害羞草研究所淥n the offensive side of the ball, we害羞草研究所檙e projecting six Canadian starters, but we wanted to add some depth there,害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所榖etter safe than sorry害羞草研究所� decision.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檒l sit and wait, and wish him the best of luck down there, and if it doesn害羞草研究所檛 work out down there and he wants to keep playing football then it害羞草研究所檒l be nice to have his rights. But again, it害羞草研究所檚 one that害羞草研究所檚 kind of a long shot,害羞草研究所� said Walters.

害羞草研究所淎t a certain point in the draft, you害羞草研究所檙e like let害羞草研究所檚 take a hail mary.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淔or a big man like that to move as well as he did, that caught everybody害羞草研究所檚 attention,害羞草研究所� said Walters.

害羞草研究所淭he NFL, like every single football league, is looking for NFL linemen. If you think you害羞草研究所檝e found a big guy that might have a huge upside, they害羞草研究所檙e certainly willing to let him develop down there for sure.害羞草研究所�

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