WINNIPEG — Manitoba Bisons football players grabbed three of the five major player awards for the Canada West conference.
Running back Jamel Lyles was named the Canada West rookie of the year, defensive lineman David Onyemata was selected the Canada West lineman of the year and DJ Lalama was a unanimous winner for the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service Award. All three are now nominated for national awards.
Lyles, 19, was a unanimous selection after he lead the conference in all purpose yards with 1,564, which was over 400 yards more than anybody else.
“I was kinda shocked,” Lyles said. “It’s a great honour to be awarded this. Our team hasn’t got this since ’99 I believe. So pretty blessed to have this opportunity to be named rookie of the year in our conference.”
Quarterback Shane Munson was the last Bisons player to win the award in 1999.
Onyemata, 23, will be one of the top selections in the 2016 CFL Draft. He was second in Canada West with five sacks. Not bad for a guy who hadn’t played a snap until coming to the University of Manitoba.
“Pretty much just a message to the young kids out there that you can do it,” Onyemata said. “It’s been a journey and I’d say coming from a guy that hadn’t played a down of football to getting this award, it’s something pretty big for me.”
Lalama, 22, will also be available in the 2016 draft. The Winnipeg native is now nominated for the prestigious Russ Jackson award.
“We’re here for football but coach (Brian) Dobie always preaches the student athlete approach,” Lalama said. “So to be able to do well in the classroom and then as well in the community. I pride myself in being a Winnipegger so being able to give back, it’s awesome to be able to do all three.”
“It shows some respect to our program and of course to the individuals that have nominated out of Canada West to represent our conference on the national stage,” head coach Brian Dobie said. “We’re really happy for these guys, well deserved.”
WATCH: Players and head coach Brian Dobie react to winning Canada West Awards
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