The Lions have one of the best starting offensive lines in the NFL, but they were expected to add depth to it during the 2024 NFL Draft.
They did that by making a surprise pick in the fourth round of the draft, selecting Giovanni Manu early on the third day of the draft's festivities.
Manu wasn't a well-known draft prospect — and with a good reason. He played his college football in Canada and wasn't invited to the NFL Combine. That kept him off the radar of even the biggest NFL junkies.
Who exactly is Giovanni Manu? Here's what to know about the Lions' fourth-round pick who makes it three consecutive drafts with a player selected from Canada's top division of college football.
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Who is Giovanni Manu?
Manu is a 6-8, 350-pound offensive tackle prospect who was drafted by the Lions with the 126th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Manu grew up in Tonga before moving to Canada at age 10. He played college football at the University of British Columbia and helped lead the Thunderbirds to a Hardy Cup victory over the Alberta Golden Bears.
Sixteen NFL teams attended Manu's pro day after he drew attention for his size and agility, per CTV News Vancouver. He clocked a 5.03-second 40-yard dash during that workout and recorded 23 bench press reps of 225 pounds.
The Lions liked what they saw enough to select Manu in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, the big-bodied tackle will look to develop into a worthwhile NFL player as Detroit looks to win its first Super Bowl title.
Manu is already embracing the challenge of becoming a contributor for the Super Bowl hopeful.
"I'm ready for it," Manu told CTV when asked about competing for the Lombardi Trophy. "If that happens to come my way in my first year, I'll attack it the same way I approached the Canada West championship here, I'll be well-prepared for it and it will be really exciting."
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U Sports football players drafted into the NFL
U Sports football is the highest level of Canadian college football, and 27 schools participate under the governing body's ordinance.
Manu becomes the 15th U Sports football player drafted into the NFL. There has now been a player selected from U Sports football in three consecutive NFL Drafts, as seen below.
| Year | Round | Pick | NFL team | Player | Position | School |
| 1976 | 8 | 234 | Commanders | Brian Fryer | WR | Alberta Golden Bears |
| 1979 | 11 | 280 | Colts | John Priestner | LB | Western Mustangs |
| 1982 | 12 | 333 | Bengals | Dan Feraday | QB | Toronto Varsity Blues |
| 1986 | 1 | 23 | Rams | Mike Schad | OG | Queen's Golden Gaels |
| 1992 | 9 | 239 | Cardinals | Tyrone Williams | WR | Western Mustangs |
| 1995 | 7 | 237 | Chargers | Mark Montreuil | CB | Concordia Stingers |
| 1998 | 2 | 32 | Colts | Jerome Pathon | WR | Acadia Axemen |
| 2001 | 7 | 241 | Jaguars | Randy Chevrier | DE | McGill Redmen[a] |
| 2009 | 4 | 113 | Chargers | Vaughn Martin | DE | Western Mustangs |
| 2012 | 3 | 89 | Saints | Akiem Hicks | DE | Regina Rams |
| 2014 | 6 | 200 | Chiefs | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | OT | McGill Redmen[a] |
| 2016 | 4 | 120 | Saints | David Onyemata | DL | Manitoba Bisons |
| 2022 | 7 | 236 | Chargers | Deane Leonard | CB | Calgary Dinos |
| 2023 | 4 | 124 | Ravens | Tavius Robinson | LB | Guelph Gryphons |
Many of Manu's predecessors, including Akiem Hicks, David Onyemata, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff found ways to become impact players in the NFL. Dan Campbell will look to ensure that Manu joins them as a legit contributor once the 6-8 tackle adapts to the NFL game.
