TERRELL MANNING | NC State 6-21/8|237 lbs|4JR Laurinburg, NC (Scotland County HS) 7/26/1989 (age 22) #35
A two-year starter, Terrell Manning was a four-star LB recruit out of HS, choosing NC State over Alabama, Florida and Clemson. After redshirting in 2008 from a HS knee injury, he saw immediate action in 2009 as a RS freshman (12 gp/2 st), finishing with 42 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 1 pbu, 2 FF and 1 INT. Manning became a full-time starter in 2010 as a sophomore (13 gp/13 st), recording 75 tkls, 10.5 tfl, 4.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 2 FF and 1 INT. He battled a knee injury in 2011 as a junior (11 gp/11 st), finishing with 76 tkls, 14.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks, 5 pbu, 4 FF, 1 FR and 3 INTs, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Manning decided to skip his senior year and go pro.
STRENGTHS: Manning has good size for the position with effective length (321⁄4” arms). He plays fast with fluid movement skills and quick feet, showing some explosion to accelerate quickly with closing burst. Manning has natural body control and coordination to play over his feet through contact. He displays quick read/react skills and uses his eyes well, playing aggressive and active. Manning has strong hands to secure tackles and is a hard hitter, seeking out contact. He is tough and self-confident, trusting his abilities – toughed out injuries. Manning is an effective blitzer with some rush moves to avoid blocks and makes a lot of plays behind the LOS – led ACC in tfl in 2011 (14.5). He was productive over his career vs. both the run and pass (8 FF and 5 INTs over his career).
WEAKNESSES: Manning lacks great muscle build on his body and needs to get stronger throughout his frame – lacks stout lower body power. He needs to do a better job disengaging at the POA to fight through the trash, struggling to keep himself clean through contact. Manning has inconsistent tackling technique and needs to stay low and drive through the ballcarrier to finish – struggles to break down in space and uses inconsistent leverage. He has streaky discipline and will play overaggressive, taking himself out of the play. Manning needs to stay football-focused and can be discouraged too easily. He has strong durability concerns after to serious knee injuries – missed 2008 and part of 2011.
OVERALL: Manning suffered a serious knee injury in HS and missed his initial season at NC State because of it – missed two games in early 2011 after minor knee surgery, but made a quick return to the field. He flows well with the action and does a nice job getting to the play with a nose for the ball. Manning is an athletic and active defender who is always around the ball with effective range, playing speed and football awareness, but needs to refine his tackling technique and get stronger to disengage and sift through the garbage – underrated with WLB starting potential if he can stay healthy.
PROJECTION: 3rd Round COMPARISON: Daryl Washington WORKOUT RESULTS: 4.75 40-YD DASH // 22 REPS // 32.5” V // 9’6” BJ // 7.18 3C // 4.43 SS
A two-year starter, Terrell Manning was a four-star LB recruit out of HS, choosing NC State over Alabama, Florida and Clemson. After redshirting in 2008 from a HS knee injury, he saw immediate action in 2009 as a RS freshman (12 gp/2 st), finishing with 42 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 1 pbu, 2 FF and 1 INT. Manning became a full-time starter in 2010 as a sophomore (13 gp/13 st), recording 75 tkls, 10.5 tfl, 4.5 sacks, 3 pbu, 2 FF and 1 INT. He battled a knee injury in 2011 as a junior (11 gp/11 st), finishing with 76 tkls, 14.5 tfl, 5.5 sacks, 5 pbu, 4 FF, 1 FR and 3 INTs, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. Manning decided to skip his senior year and go pro.
STRENGTHS: Manning has good size for the position with effective length (321⁄4” arms). He plays fast with fluid movement skills and quick feet, showing some explosion to accelerate quickly with closing burst. Manning has natural body control and coordination to play over his feet through contact. He displays quick read/react skills and uses his eyes well, playing aggressive and active. Manning has strong hands to secure tackles and is a hard hitter, seeking out contact. He is tough and self-confident, trusting his abilities – toughed out injuries. Manning is an effective blitzer with some rush moves to avoid blocks and makes a lot of plays behind the LOS – led ACC in tfl in 2011 (14.5). He was productive over his career vs. both the run and pass (8 FF and 5 INTs over his career).
WEAKNESSES: Manning lacks great muscle build on his body and needs to get stronger throughout his frame – lacks stout lower body power. He needs to do a better job disengaging at the POA to fight through the trash, struggling to keep himself clean through contact. Manning has inconsistent tackling technique and needs to stay low and drive through the ballcarrier to finish – struggles to break down in space and uses inconsistent leverage. He has streaky discipline and will play overaggressive, taking himself out of the play. Manning needs to stay football-focused and can be discouraged too easily. He has strong durability concerns after to serious knee injuries – missed 2008 and part of 2011.
OVERALL: Manning suffered a serious knee injury in HS and missed his initial season at NC State because of it – missed two games in early 2011 after minor knee surgery, but made a quick return to the field. He flows well with the action and does a nice job getting to the play with a nose for the ball. Manning is an athletic and active defender who is always around the ball with effective range, playing speed and football awareness, but needs to refine his tackling technique and get stronger to disengage and sift through the garbage – underrated with WLB starting potential if he can stay healthy.
PROJECTION: 3rd Round COMPARISON: Daryl Washington WORKOUT RESULTS: 4.75 40-YD DASH // 22 REPS // 32.5” V // 9’6” BJ // 7.18 3C // 4.43 SS

Terrell Manning*, OLB, N.C. State 

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