Virginia Tech Football: Is Donaldven Manning the Next Great Hokie Corner?

The cornerback position at Virginia Tech is one that demands national respect. The amount of talent at the position has led to VPI’s nickname, DB U. It is now a rarity to go through a NFL draft without hearing a cornerback or safety from Virginia Tech being taken.

Names like DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, Macho Harris, Brandon Flowers, Roc Carmichael and, most recently, Jayron Hosley have shown their abilities in the Hokies secondary during the last 10 years. Secondary coach and former Hokie DB Torrian Gray has done a great job of grooming corners during his tenure under Bud Foster.

Gray has a new talent to groom in 2012. His name is Donaldven Manning. The incoming freshman is a 4-star recruit from Miami Central High School in Miami. Manning is rated as the 16th-best corner in the country. At 5’10” and 165 pounds, his greatest attributes are his ball-hawking skills and football instincts.

Manning’s only drawback may be his speed. He isn’t slow, having been clocked at 4.65 in the 40-yard dash, but he doesn’t have the same blinding speed DeAngelo Hall has. However, Manning should become a contributor early in his Hokie career.

Jayron Hosley’s departure for the NFL has left a void in the secondary. Former field corner Kyle Fuller was the defensive MVP in 2011 and will probably move to the boundary corner in 2012. This leaves the field corner position open for competition.

Redshirt freshman Detrick Bonner seems to be the next in line for the position. Bonner is 6’1” and played as a nickelback and backup during this past season. He had plenty of playing time this past season, but he didn’t make much of an impression. He recorded 27 total tackles (17 solo), defended four passes and snagged one interception.

Manning and Bonner will probably be the two competing for the field corner position. Bonner’s experience will probably set them apart and give him the edge. Manning could wind up as the nickelback in Bud Foster’s system.

Manning may take a little while to develop, but there is no reason to think he won’t become the next great corner at DB U.