Manase Foketi: 5 Thing You Need to Know About the West Texas A&M Guard

Manase Foketi may not be the biggest name in this year’s NFL draft, but he has the potential to be a solid late-round pick for any team.  

He mainly played left tackle his last year at West Texas A&M, but will probably kick inside at the next level. He has pretty solid size and technique, but does definitely have some concerns when taking on talented pass-rushers. 

Foketi would be a project and is in no way a sure thing. However, if he gets into the right system with the right coaches, he could develop into a dependable, cheap offensive lineman. 

Background

Full Name: Manase Foketi 

Birthday: Sept. 18, 1990 

Hometown: Hesperia, California

High School: Sultana 

Major: Criminal Justice

Graduation Year: 2013

In high school, Foketi was named all-league, all-county and all-Southern California. He originally played JUCO at Mt. San Antonio College before transferring to Kansas State and ultimately ending up at WT A&M. In 2010, he helped the Wildcats average 200 yards per game (11th best in school history). 

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 318 pounds

Arm Length: 34 1/2”

Hand Size: 10 5/8"

Combine Results 

40-yard dash: DNP

Broad jump: 8’6”

Vertical jump: 23 1/2”

Pro day results 

Broad jump: 8’11”

Vertical jump: 26 1/2”

Foketi displayed good ability and upside at the combine and further improved his numbers at his pro day.

He did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine due to a calf injury, but did run an average of 5.6 seconds in his pro day's 40-yard dash. It was evident that he was still bothered by the injury; hence the slow time.

Foketi has a strong build and has good agility in his kick slide.

All stats via NFL Draft Scout

Interesting Facts

Foketi was the 2012 Gene Upshaw Division II Offensive Lineman of the Year

He was one of the top JUCO prospects in 2010 and subsequently signed with Kansas State. He tore his Achilles two games into the 2011 season and chose to redshirt for medical reasons. Instead of returning to the team in 2012, he decided to transfer to West Texas.

His transfer process was a bit complicated though, as his coach, Bill Snyder, would not allow him to transfer to another FBS school, leading him to West Texas A&M. 

A calf injury hurt his numbers at combine workouts, and he is likely a seventh-round pick at best.

Observations

Foketi is the type of player who you can bring in and develop into a starter. He is likely to be one of the late-round gems of this year’s class.

Foketi showed at K-State that he can perform well on the offensive line. In his only full year with the Wildcats he started all 13 games at left tackle. It wasn’t until his torn Achilles in 2011 that his draft stock took a big hit, but if he is healthy, he should be able to contribute sooner or later to whichever team picks him up. 

Here are some others' observations:

NFL.com

Teams will be split on whether or not Foketi can remain at tackle, but they will be sure to agree on his physical skill set and upside. While his lack of experience will prevent him from going as high as his talent might indicate, he could be a well worthwhile risk late in the draft.

CBSSports.com

Considering the severity of the 2011 injury, as well as Foketi's issues at Kansas State, he's a prospect whose draft stock won't be finalized until teams get an opportunity to see him up close at the Combine. They'll want to... as he possesses legitimate talent.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report

West Texas A&M offensive tackle Manase Foketi has the potential to develop into a sturdy tackle in the NFL. He possesses the ideal frame and great power at the point of attack, but there's still room for improvement.