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鈥檛 stay hidden

鈥� Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN)

Three days later, Manu鈥檚 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鈥檚 strategy heading into the 2024 Draft.

鈥淥n the offensive side of the ball, we鈥檙e projecting six Canadian starters, but we wanted to add some depth there,鈥� 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 鈥榖etter safe than sorry鈥� decision.

鈥淲e鈥檒l sit and wait, and wish him the best of luck down there, and if it doesn鈥檛 work out down there and he wants to keep playing football then it鈥檒l be nice to have his rights. But again, it鈥檚 one that鈥檚 kind of a long shot,鈥� said Walters.

鈥淎t a certain point in the draft, you鈥檙e like let鈥檚 take a hail mary.鈥�

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.

鈥淔or a big man like that to move as well as he did, that caught everybody鈥檚 attention,鈥� said Walters.

鈥淭he NFL, like every single football league, is looking for NFL linemen. If you think you鈥檝e found a big guy that might have a huge upside, they鈥檙e certainly willing to let him develop down there for sure.鈥�

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