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With 30 days left until the Virginia Tech Hokies square off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, we turn our attention to #30 on the roster Mr. Donaldven Manning. Manning entered Virginia Tech this past spring as one of our most highly touted players in our 2012 recruiting class. He was also the very first player to commit one day after Signing Day in 2011. Even with a few extra visits, Manning stuck with the Hokies and will enter this fall as the backup at field corner.
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The Scoop
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 155 lbs
Position: Cornerback
Year: Freshman
High School: Miami Central High School
How Did He Get Here?
It’s been awhile since the Hokies sneaked into Miami country and stole a four star recruit away from the Hurricanes but that’s exactly what Torrian Gray did one year ago. Manning was our first commitment of the 2012 class, which is surprising given his offer list. The Florida native held scholarships from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and about 20 others.
2011 Season Rewind
Manning was still in high school last year.
2012 Prediction
Thanks to an early departure from now New York Giant Jayron Hosley, the Hokies are left a little thin in the secondary. That caused Coach Gray to shift things around this spring, moving Antone Exum to cornerback and Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner to safety. All of that shifting actually benefited Manning. He’ll enter this fall as the primary backup at field corner.
Honestly, when you have scholarships from the one’s we listed above, you should be able to come in and play right away. Manning is a freshman and will need to adjust to the speed of the game. But, he has the talent to be a factor this fall. Unlike other positions where strength training is important, you can be a tad undersized at cornerback and still be competitive. It’s all about how you break on passes, technique, and ball skills. Thankfully, Manning shows promise in all three of those areas.
Completely Made Up Fact
Donaldven is actually the fourth and most widely unknown Manning brother.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Do we have any chance at getting Greg Gilmore? I can’t remember where but I read that he said he has a good relationship with charley wiles
Headed to LSU
This.
Is even possible to have hand , Holmes, brown and nnadi on the same team. ? Could we really get all four of those guys.
i think its possible but highly unlikely. If all these guys are 5 stars or high 4 stars the sec offers will come rolling in. We will have to battle but if they do stay in state there coming here. Uva has no chance.
not true .. doesn’t appear they have much of a chance with Hand but they’re in the mix for Brown and Nnadi is probably higher on UVA than VT at this point. We have a very good shot with Hand and will likely get Holmes…Those are the two that I think we have the best shot at.
VT has made up a lot of ground with Nnadi and we’re going to pursue Ricky Walker hard as well, even though his brother plays for UVA (Rijo Walker). I think UVA and VT could both end up with elite DL hauls next year just because there is so much talent in-state.
*sigh* grudgingly agree.