Getty Image / Perry Knotts
There’s a finite amount of people in the world with the size, speed, agility, footwork, flexibility, and strength to play offensive tackle in the NFL. NFL teams will look far and wide to find one of these athletes, including Giovanni Manu.
Ashley many as six offensive tackles will come off the draft board in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. But, one of the most intriguing prospects at the position is a guy that won’t go in the first round.
Enter Tongan Giovanni Manu. This guy is truly a freak.
https://twitter.com/schultz_report/status/1776297963586764992?s=61
Yeah, he has all the physical tools, that’s for sure. A sub five-second 40-yard dash at that size is insane. Plus, a 33-inch vertical leap at his size doesn’t even make sense.
Somehow, a guy like that didn’t play his college football in America. Rather, he played at University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Granted, the competition level was not as if he was playing in the SEC. But, he still absolutely dominated the guys he was playing against. Take a look.
Will this guy ever be an NFL star, or even be a guy who can see meaningful snaps? Who knows. But, he definitely shows off some of that athleticism in those highlights. There are definitely some technique things he needs to clean up that will get completely exploited against NFL-level talent right now. But, in a few years down the road, with good coaching, the tools are there for him to be a competent offensive tackle in the NFL.
As the tweet said, NFL teams are taking notice of Giovanni Manu. He’s absolutely worth a late-round flier for somebody.
The 2024 NFL Draft begins April 25 in Detroit, Michgan. But, it’s likely that Manu won’t be drafted until day three.