CB Manning opts to transfer from Virginia Tech
No reason was given for Manning's decision, but the former four-star recruit had been passed on the depth chart in training camp by true freshmen Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson.
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Sunday, August 11, 2013
BLACKSBURG - After mulling things over for a day, Virginia Tech cornerback Donaldven Manning has decided to transfer.
The Hokies confirmed the news through the Twitter account for Frank Beamer's personal website Sunday, adding that Beamer will help the sophomore find another school.
No reason was given for Manning's decision, but the former four-star recruit had been passed on the depth chart in training camp by true freshmen Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson.
Manning arrived in the winter of 2012 with high hopes of playing early, but he struggled in his first year at Tech, giving up several big catches as an injury replacement in a loss to Cincinnati.
He also mulled his future with the team last November, deciding to stick with the program after a meeting with Beamer. He played in eight games total, finishing with four tackles and one interception.
After arriving at a bulked up 181 pounds this August, Manning was upbeat just a few days ago about his potential role this season but clearly had a change of mind.
His exit leaves the Hokies light at the cornerback spot. Senior Antone Exum, an All-ACC performer last year, is out for at least another month and a half to two months after offseason ACL surgery.
Fuller and Facyson are the top candidates to replace him at field corner. Sophomore Donovan Riley could be another cornerback who gets in the mix. He's currently listed as a backup to senior Kyle Fuller at the boundary corner position.
But the Hokies also had plans to use Kendall Fuller in a starting nickelback role, a need that might become more urgent with No. 1 whip linebacker Ronny Vandyke‘s status up in the air after he suffered a shoulder strain Saturday night. Tech generally considers the nickel and whip linebacker spots interchangeable depending on offensive personnel.
Vandyke had his shoulder wrapped in ice late in practice Saturday and was later seen with his arm in a sling. On Sunday, head athletic trainer Mike Goforth said Vandyke was "not in as much pain today as he thought he would be in."
He'll be limited this week and will have an MRI performed.
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
