2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Marc Rondeau, LB, University of Ottawa

• Name: Marc Djonay Rondeau
• Position: Linebacker
• College: University of Ottawa
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 203 Pounds 
• Instagram: Zep.dadinho 

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft?

I’m an athletic, versatile linebacker who loves special teams, lives for competition and takes pride in running to the ball. My life has always been about adapting and finding a way to succeed in whatever environment I’m in. I grew up between different countries and cultures: I was born in Ivory Coast and did most of my childhood in the Democratic Republic of Congo before coming to Canada, where I’ve fallen in love with Football. That forced me to mature fast, learn new systems, and adjust to new expectations.

Throughout my football journey, I’ve played multiple positions, so I see the game from different angles and understand different roles and responsibilities on the field. That versatility is one of my biggest strengths.

Working and living with remote communities in West Africa also reshaped the way I see the world. It grounded me. It taught me humility, patience, leadership, resilience, community, and real problem solving in situations where you don’t get excuses and have no choice but to find solutions. I carry that mindset into football every day. Football is where I apply everything I’ve learned about discipline, adversity and adaptation. I show up, I work, and I compete. That’s who I am as a player.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I am someone who always finds a way.

No matter the system, the environment, the role or the adversity I adapt, I learn fast, and I produce. Growing up across different countries, cultures and realities taught me how to thrive in constant change. Football became the space where I apply that resilience and competitive mindset every single day. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

If I could donate to one cause in the world, it would be to the development of youth sports and organizations in Africa. Growing up between West Africa and North America, I’ve seen firsthand how sports can literally change the trajectory of a young person’s future. In many African communities, talent is there, passion is there but resources, structure and opportunity are limited. Investing in youth sports can build opportunities, leadership, discipline, education access, and real life options for the next generation. Sports saved a lot of kids including myself and I believe it can do the same for a lot more kids, they just need the chance.

Who was your role model?

My role model is Alexander the Great. What I admire about him is how he refused to accept limits. What the world saw as impossible, he approached like a clear objective he could accomplish with focus and belief. That fearlessness in aiming higher than what people expect is something I try to live by.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

My favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve always connected with the mentality, the culture, and especially the defensive identity of that organization. The Steelers defense has a legacy of toughness, physicality, and pride and that aura always stood out to me growing up. The atmosphere at their home games aslso is electrifying, and it represents what football at the highest level should feel like, intense, competitive, and living.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

David Bahufitte. He plays wide receiver, and he’s the definition of a teammate who does the dirty work that doesn’t make highlight clips, but it wins football games. He blocks with pride, he does all the small execution details right, and he’s always willing to sacrifice shine for the success of the offense. Guys like him make a team better every single day, and I think people underestimate how valuable that is.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is laziness. I can’t agree with people who choose not to give effort.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher was my French teacher in my first year of CEGEP. I was really struggling in French at the time and was close to failing, but she pushed me to persevere and not give up on myself. She didn’t just teach grammar and literature; she taught me life lessons and developed my writing and grammar skills.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

The hardest adversity I’ve had to overcome was dealing with a concussion during my 3rd season at uOttawa. It forced me off the field for a week, changed the way of my routine, and it modified the role I had on the team. Mentally it was tough because when you’re a competitor, you want to be in every rep, in every moment, impacting the game directly. I had to stay disciplined, trust the recovery process, and still contribute in every way I could.

What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t let that season define me negatively. I learned from it. I adjusted my preparation, my recovery routine, and the way I protect myself in the game. In my 4th and final season, I finished with zero concussions starting every game. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

If I could have any franchise restaurant in my house, it would be YKO. It’s a West African franchise restaurant that is growing in Ottawa. Their food reminds me of home, real flavor, real energy, and real culture. It’s not just fast food. It’s a healthy plate full of nutrients and culture that packs everything an athlete needs to perform.

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is Alloco. It’s fried plantain, it’s a West African classic. For me it’s not just food, it’s identity, energy and home. When I eat alloco, it reminds me where I come from and who I am.

What is your degree in?

My degree is a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Interdisciplinary Studies. It allowed me to study multiple fields within the social sciences at the same time,

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with three people, I would choose LeBron James, Alexander the Great, and King Sundiata Keita. LeBron for his longevity and ability to continuously evolve at the highest level, Alexander for his mindset of turning the impossible into strategic reality, and Sundiata Keita because he built one of the greatest empires in West African history through unity, justice and collective strength, not just force.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is that I can be overly hard on myself. When I make a mistake or don’t execute the way I know I can, I tend to analyze it deeply and put a lot of pressure on myself to fix it immediately. It comes from the pressure I put on myself to take advantage of every opportunity.