“Once you see him, you know he’s physically imposing and in a year or two, if you immerse him in football culture, he’s going to be fantastic,” Umenyiora said today in a phone conversation from his home in London. “The Giants took a chance. Not much of a chance, I think. When you see him working, you’re going to know what he’s about.
After a strong Pro Day alongside other international prospects, the Giants obviously liked what they saw and signed the raw lineman. Of course, they seemed to have had international scout Umenyiora‘s approval.
Nigerian OL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi and Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka showing off their power @NFLAfrica @AFIReview @OsiUmenyiora @drmackenzie1991 #nflipp #proday https://t.co/Ye75UkPyFk
— Alex Malchow (@MalchowAlex) March 14, 2022
“He is big, strong, physical, extremely intelligent, very athletic. He’s built to play offensive tackle in the league. In fact, he reminds me quite a bit of Kareem McKenzie [a former tackle who, like Umenyiora, played on the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII and XLVI teams] He has the same temperament. He’s very smart, but he’s a very athletic player.”
The Nigerian talent joins former NFL International Player Pathway program alumni Sandro Plazgummer of Austria in New York. There is no doubt that Mbaeteka will have the support of the Giants and Umenyiora as he begins to develop as a pro offensive lineman.
Read more about Chigbo Roys Mbaeteka‘s Football Story here
Read more about Nigeria’s budding American football talents