Southern Arkansas University Athletics

From the moment he stepped into the confines of Wilkins Stadium, Don Unamba made it clear he was a force to be reckoned with. The Dallas, Texas native quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Mulerider defense, combining elite instincts with a relentless motor to become one of the most dominant defensive backs in program history. 

His senior season capped a remarkable collegiate career, and his impact didn't stop there. Unamba parlayed his success at SAU into a professional career that spanned both the NFL and CFL, earning All-Star honors and becoming a respected veteran across the league. From Magnolia to stadiums across North America, Unamba's legacy is defined by excellence, consistency, and a reputation as a game-changer at every level. 

As a senior, he delivered a standout season, recording 47 tackles, 3 interceptions, and tying a then-program record with 20 pass breakups — a performance that cemented his place among the elite in Mulerider Football. Throughout his career, Unamba became, and still is, the program's leader in passes defended after recording 48 during his four years in the Blue and Gold.  

After his senior campaign, Unamba tallied four superlative awards as a Mulerider, which included being named 2012 First Team All-GAC, DHFC DII All-Super Region III First Team, DHFC DII All-America Third Team, and AFCA DII All-America First Team. The Lone Star native was also recognized by the Little Rock Touchdown Club following his 2012 senior campaign as being the team MVP for the Muleriders.  

Following his college career, Unamba signed with the NFL's St. Louis Rams and later joined the Buffalo Bills. He went on to make a lasting impact in the Canadian Football League over eight seasons, suiting up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos, and Ottawa Redblacks. In 2018, he earned CFL All-Star and East Division All-Star honors with Hamilton, showcasing the talent and determination he first displayed as a Mulerider. During his career in the CFL, Unamba played 86 games across six seasons in the league for Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa. The Texas native recorded 240 career defensive tackles, 36 career special teams tackles, 13 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six interceptions, and two touchdowns.