According to the Canadian Press on Saturday, four Canadians were selected in the 2024 National Football League Draft. They were offensive lineman Isaiah Adams, tight end Theo Johnson, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, and tight end Tanner McLachlan. It should be noted that a fifth player, Qwan’Tez Stiggers is American, but did play last season for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and as a cornerback was the CFL Rookie of the Year. He did not play college football and was selected in the fifth round, 176th overall, by the New York Jets.
Adams of Ajax, Ontario played his college football at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario at the Canadian University level, Garden City Community College in Kansas and the University of Illinois. He was drafted in the third round, 71st overall, by the Arizona Cardinals.
Johnson of Winnipeg, Manitoba played his college football at Penn State. He was selected in the fourth round, 107th overall by the New York Giants. In 2023, Johnson had 34 catches for 341 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. In 44 National Collegiate Athletic Association career games, he had 77 receptions for 938 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Twice Johnson had a game with two touchdowns. He scored twice in a 35-16 Penn State win over Michigan State on November 26, 2022, and in a 63-0 Penn State romp over Massachusetts on October 14, 2023.
Manu is born in Tonga, but was raised in British Columbia, attended high school at Pitt Meadows Secondary School, and university at the University of British Columbia at the Canadian USports level. He was selected in the fourth round, 126th overall, by the Detroit Lions.
McLachlan of Lethbridge, Alberta, played the last two seasons at the University of Arizona. In 2023, he had 45 catches for 528 receiving yards and four touchdowns. In 25 NCAA career games, McLachlan had 79 receptions for 984 receiving yards and six touchdowns. McLachlan had a two-touchdown game for Arizona, which came in a 59-23 Arizona win over Arizona State on November 25. He was selected in the sixth round, 194th overall, by the Cincinnati Bengals.
