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.

香蕉视频直播淢yself and the team came up short of getting out of conference last season,香蕉视频直播� said Manu. 香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�

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香蕉视频直播檚 decision was also influenced by more personal reasons.

香蕉视频直播淪taying an extra year helps me get closer to getting my degree, which is something my parents want me to achieve,香蕉视频直播� said Manu.

香蕉视频直播淪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香蕉视频直播檛 want to rush my development, so coming back one more year helps.香蕉视频直播�

Manu香蕉视频直播檚 draft year will now be deferred to 2024, which he believes can have only a positive impact on where and when he gets drafted.

香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 believe deferring will affect my draft selection. If I didn香蕉视频直播檛 opt out of this year香蕉视频直播檚 draft, I was told by my coach香蕉视频直播檚 I would potentially be taken in the first two rounds in the CFL, which is good.香蕉视频直播�

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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.

香蕉视频直播淢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香蕉视频直播檓 ready to compete at a level my opponents can香蕉视频直播檛 keep up with. And hopefully, by the end of the season, I hear my name called in the NFL draft selection.香蕉视频直播�

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.