Abilene Christian's Danieal Manning

[jtk1519]

For any of you guys that like to follow the NFL draft as I do, I highly recommend keeping an eye on this guy leading up to the draft.

For those that don't know, Danieal Manning (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/player_bios/manning_d_bio.html) is an 11-time All-American DB for Div. II Abilene Christian University and he is a freak of nature. Listed at 6'0 205, his versatility (he can play CB, S and return kicks and punts) is really turning some NFL heads. Manning recently started in the defensive secondary for the West team in the East-West Shrine Game (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/news_2005_06/manningshrine.html) where he turned even more heads. So much so that he was invited to the NFL's Scouting Combine (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/nflcombinebypos.php?draftyear=2006&GenPos=CB&sortorder=LastName&order=ASC).

Manning is an interesting story because he was listed as one of the nations top DB prospects coming out of Corsicana High School. He signed with Nebraska in 2001, but never enrolled. Instead, he enrolled at ACU in 2002. To make things even more interesting is the fact that Manning is only a junior. He has decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/news_2005_06/001228manning.html) to enter the draft. I don't know how rare it is, but I haven't heard of a lot of Div. II football players entering the draft early so I'm willing to bet this is pretty rare.

At least one draft site has Manning going as high as the second round (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockround2.html) and most list him as a day 1 prospect. He's a very interesting guy to keep your eye on.

[slorch]

That is a great heads up. i like the draft too.

please explain "11- time All American"

[dragons08]

That is a great heads up. i like the draft too.

please explain "11- time All American"
i was thinking the same..how can you do that, and only be a junior?

[Reaganrattler07]

For the mock drafts, which teams do they have picking him up?

[jtk1519]

For the mock drafts, which teams do they have picking him up?

One has him going #54 to Kansas City.

As for being an 11-time All-American, I don't know how you do that, but it sounds cool.

[Reaganrattler07]

One has him going #54 to Kansas City.

As for being an 11-time All-American, I don't know how you do that, but it sounds cool.

That's interesting....Div-1AA guy going early and going in the first day. Must be pretty good. I've never heard of him personally but I'll keep my eye on him.

[jtk1519]

That's interesting....Div-1AA guy going early and going in the first day. Must be pretty good. I've never heard of him personally but I'll keep my eye on him.

What makes it even more interesting is that he is a Div. II player... the level below Div. 1AA.

[Reaganrattler07]

What makes it even more interesting is that he is a Div. II player... the level below Div. 1AA.

Was it Division II?! Sorry, I misread...

[slorch]

sounds like Kareem Larrimore from WT aggy, that was drafted by dallas in late 90's

Also Dominick Rhodes from ACU is still backing up Edge in Indy

[Reaganrattler07]

One has him going #54 to Kansas City.

And Washington's first pick #53, but oh well, we have other needs.

[Firebird]

D-II has several different groups that pick All-America teams (so does D-1A), that is how you can make 11 different ones.

I got to watch Daniel Manning play at ACU, I can tell you that he is a MAN. He always outclassed everyone on the field. I have no doubt that he has the physical abilities to make it in the NFL, but he will need time to learn and adjust to the speed and skill of the players. Nevertheless, DII players often shape up to be great pros. Another Lone Star South Conference School, Texas A&M Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I) is basically an NFL factory. They just crank out quality players, usually on D or on the line. Several alums are in the NFL hall of fame.

[dragons08]

sounds like Kareem Lattimore from WT aggy, that was drafted by dallas in late 90's

Also Dominick Rhodes from ACU is still backing up Edge in Indy
may be starting if colts dont resign edge

[TexasRed6x]

may be starting if colts dont resign edge
I don't think that the Colts will re-sign Edgerrin James to a new contract. I have been hearing on ESPN and NFL Live that the Colts are trying to re-sign Reggie Wayne instead of Edge.

[Texasfrog]

For any of you guys that like to follow the NFL draft as I do, I highly recommend keeping an eye on this guy leading up to the draft.

For those that don't know, Danieal Manning (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/player_bios/manning_d_bio.html) is an 11-time All-American DB for Div. II Abilene Christian University and he is a freak of nature. Listed at 6'0 205, his versatility (he can play CB, S and return kicks and punts) is really turning some NFL heads. Manning recently started in the defensive secondary for the West team in the East-West Shrine Game (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/news_2005_06/manningshrine.html) where he turned even more heads. So much so that he was invited to the NFL's Scouting Combine (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/nflcombinebypos.php?draftyear=2006&GenPos=CB&sortorder=LastName&order=ASC).

Manning is an interesting story because he was listed as one of the nations top DB prospects coming out of Corsicana High School. He signed with Nebraska in 2001, but never enrolled. Instead, he enrolled at ACU in 2002. To make things even more interesting is the fact that Manning is only a junior. He has decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility (http://www.acu.edu/sports/football/news_2005_06/001228manning.html) to enter the draft. I don't know how rare it is, but I haven't heard of a lot of Div. II football players entering the draft early so I'm willing to bet this is pretty rare.

At least one draft site has Manning going as high as the second round (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockround2.html) and most list him as a day 1 prospect. He's a very interesting guy to keep your eye on.

I've been following D. Manning since he's days at Corsicana. He went to Nebraska but changed shortley after that to ACU.

I think he'll be drafted in the 1st day for 100% sure and he might even go in the 2nd round. I think he'll be the surprise sleeper pick of the draft. He is a "Heck" of an athlete !!!:D

[Favpack]

He's certainly the most talented/storied player out of ACU since Wilbert Montgomery and his brother Cle in the late 1970's. I saw him play a couple of games and he was always the best player on the field. Dragonsdaddy probably saw him more than anyone this past year.

[Daniel Agnew]

I have seen Manning play a couple of times & he may have a shot at being a good pro, he lit my school up a couple of times when we played.

[dragonsdaddy]

He's certainly the most talented/storied player out of ACU since Wilbert Montgomery and his brother Cle in the late 1970's. I saw him play a couple of games and he was always the best player on the field. Dragonsdaddy probably saw him more than anyone this past year.
he was undoubtedly the best kick returner i've seen in college. you couldn't afford to take your eyes off of him. we were hoping he'd be back next year, but i'll be pulling for him to tear it up.

[Firebird]

Dragons daddy, are you an ACU fan/grad. I graduated in May of '04. I didn't play ball at ACU, but I followed the program closely, and all of my roomates played ball. I got to watch Manning the first year he was there and was just blown away, I can't imagine how much he has improved.

[Slim-Rob]

Tony Harp is going to Abilene Christian

[Texasfrog]

Any word on him coming out of the NFL combine ?? just wondering..:confused:

[slorch]

I haven't seen any DB workouts yet

they said TEs go tomorrow

[Texasfrog]

I haven't seen any DB workouts yet

they said TEs go tomorrow

Roger that...

[dragonsdaddy]

Dragons daddy, are you an ACU fan/grad. I graduated in May of '04. I didn't play ball at ACU, but I followed the program closely, and all of my roomates played ball. I got to watch Manning the first year he was there and was just blown away, I can't imagine how much he has improved.
my middle son is a wr there. played significant snaps as a freshman and hopes to be the goto guy this year. they start spring training next week.

[jtk1519]

Manning ran a 4.46 today.

[jtk1519]

There were quite a few NFL scouts in town today to watch Manning (and others) work out at ACU's pro day. Supposedly, Manning impressed running as good as a 4.4 flat while excelling at the DB drills.

Manning also worked out at aggy's pro day and really turned heads there. He was so good that SI called Manning the best athlete at the aggy pro day. Pretty impressive for a Div. II junior to be showing up a bunch of Div. 1A athletes.

[jtk1519]

''That was it,'' Jacksonville Jaguars defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds said of Manning's workout. ''That's the reason we were here.''

Manning ran in only a couple of drills at the workout, but then went through more than two hours of position drills for teams like the Seahawks, Bengals and Jaguars. The Jags, in fact, spent around an hour with Manning, putting him through drills designed for DBs, receivers and kick returners.

http://reporter-news.com/abil/sp_lc_abilene_christ_univ/article/0,1874,ABIL_8785_4535159,00.html

[Texasfrog]

I've read a few reports the last few days about draft sleepers. Manning is in all of them. I think he has worked himself into a late 2nd or early 3rd round pick. He'll go in the first day for sure.

Also.. I wont be surprised if he turns out to be a heck of a NFL player.:)

[Firebird]

I read the article. What a class act, even if some do question him for coming out early. Good to see him helping out some of his teammates at ACU. He will be a solid player in the NFL. Go Wildcats!!!