Kosi Onyeka
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 26, 1999 Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| University | Guelph |
| CFL draft | 2021: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| 2022–2025 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Stats at CFL.ca | |
Kosi Onyekaⓘ (born October 26, 1999) is a Canadian professional football defensive back. He most recently played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
University career
Onyeka played U Sports football for the Guelph Gryphons from 2017 to 2021.[1] He played in 25 games where he had 64 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.[2]
Professional career
Onyeka was eligible for the shortened 2021 CFL draft, but was not drafted and returned to the Gryphons for their 2021 season.[3] He was later signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on February 28, 2022.[4] Onyeka began the 2022 season on the practice roster, but soon after made his professional debut on June 18, 2022, against the Edmonton Elks.[5] He dressed in eight regular season games that year where he recorded one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle.[5]
In 2023, Onyeka was part of the final training camp cuts and was released on June 4, 2023.[5][6] However, he was re-signed on June 21, 2023, to a practice roster agreement.[5] He then dressed in 15 regular season games where he had one defensive tackle and 17 special teams tackles.[5]
In the 2024 season, Onyeka played in ten regular season games and recorded one defensive tackle, seven special teams tackles, and one forced fumble.[5] He was scheduled to become a free agent in February 2025, but instead signed a contract extension on January 31, 2025.[7] In 2025, he played in seven regular season games and recorded 10 special teams tackles.[8] Onyeka was later released on September 30, 2025.[8]
Personal life
Onyeka was born to parents Vin and Nwando Onyeka.[3] Onyeka's older brother, Nakas, played at linebacker in the Canadian Football League for four seasons.[3] His younger brother, Ifenna, plays at defensive lineman and was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts.[3][9] Onyeka is the cousin of defensive end Kene Onyeka and defensive back Godfrey Onyeka, both of whom also play in the CFL.[2][10] He is of Nigerian descent.[3]
References
- ^ "Kosi Onyeka". Guelph Gryphons. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
- ^ a b "Roughriders add two more defensive players to roster". CKOM. February 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "'Manifesting a dream': Family played a big role in Kosi Onyeka's road to the CFL". Regina Leader-Post. August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders sign Kosi Onyeka, David Kenney". Regina Leader-Post. February 28, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kosi Onyeka". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
- ^ "Saskatchewan Roughriders release 22, including RB Kienan LaFrance". 3DownNation. June 4, 2023.
- ^ "Riders sign National DB Kosi Onyeka to contract extension". Canadian Football League. January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b "Transactions – Football Player Trades and Signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ "Argos sign LBs Brian Holloway, Ife Onyemenan and DL Ifenna Onyeka". Canadian Football League. December 10, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian linebacker Nakas Onyeka agrees to terms with Saskatchewan Roughriders". 3DownNation. May 18, 2019.