Three Canadians selected in 2022 National Football League Draft

John Metchie III (Twitter)

Three Canadians were selected in the 2022 National Football League Draft, which wrapped up on Saturday from Las Vegas, Nevada. In the second round on Friday, 44th overall, the Houston Texans selected wide receiver John Metchie III of Brampton, Ontario. In the seventh round on Saturday, 236th overall, the Los Angeles Chargers selected cornerback Deane Leonard of Calgary, Alberta. Also in the seventh round, 256th overall, the Arizona Cardinals selected linebacker Jesse Luketa of Ottawa, Ontario.

Metchie III played his college football at the University of Alabama for the Crimson Tide. In three seasons, he had 155 catches for 2081 yards and 14 touchdowns. This past year, he had 96 catches for 1142 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2021, Metchie III won the College Football Playoff National Championship with the Crimson Tide. Alabama beat Ohio State 52-24, as Metchie III had eight catches for 81 yards.

Leonard played his NCAA Football at the University of Mississippi. In two seasons with the Rebels, he had 62 tackles (36 solo tackles and 26 assisted tackles), one tackle for a loss, 11 pass deflections and one fumble recovery. In 2021, Leonard had 48 tackles (28 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles), one tackle for a loss and seven pass deflections. He also played three seasons with the Dinos from 2017 to 2019. In 23 games, Leonard had 47 tackles (44 solo tackles and three assisted tackles), one tackle for a loss of eight yards, one sack for eight yards, six interceptions, 19 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one block, one touchdown on punt returns, and two touchdowns on interception returns.

Luketa played his NCAA football at Penn State from 2018 to 2021. In four seasons, he had 151 total tackles (85 solo tackles and 66 assisted tackles), 11.5 tackles for a loss, half a sack, one interception for 16 yards, one pick six, six pass deflections and one fumble recovery. In 2021, Luketa had 61 tackles (34 solo tackles and 27 assisted tackles), 8.5 tackles, and one pick six of 16 yards. The interception return for a touchdown came in a 44-13 Penn State over Ball State on September 11, 2021.

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