Film Room: Tashawn Manning

Signing day is on Wednesday, but transfer portal recruiting never sleeps. On Monday, Tashawn Manning decided to switch SEC schools.

The 335-pound offensive guard announced his commitment to Kentucky after visiting over the weekend. A member of the class of 2016 will be a sixth-year super senior in 2022. Manning has a degree under his belt and a 1-0 record against cancer. The transfer will be ready to contribute early.

What will the former defensive tackle prospect bring to Eric Wolford’s position room? Step into the KSR Film Room to find out.

Under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Kentucky has transitioned to a different offense. The Wildcats are going to more outside zone instead of the traditional inside zone concepts used under Eddie Gran. However, that transition has been rocky.

To supplement the growing pains, Kentucky has been utilizing more gap scheme runs. Those having pullers had plenty of success this season for the Wildcats. Tashawn Manning is a capable mover at 6-foot-4 and 335 pounds.

On the pin-pull concept, Manning pulls from his left guard position and picks up the Mike linebacker who is coming downhill fast. That block isn’t sustained but is held long enough to create a seam for the tailback. The play ends in a very productive gain as Manning is a capable puller.

Expect Kentucky to use him in similar ways.

Speaking of movement skills, the screen game at Kentucky will also ask for their linemen to move and make some blocks on linebackers and safeties in space. Tashawn Manning shows off some of those former defensive line skills when asked to move on offense.

On the halfback screen, Manning does a great job selling dropback pass on the set before slipping out to block for the tailback. Once in the open field, the offensive guard stays under control and gets a hat on the Mike linebacker in space who is trying to keep outside leverage. The play design is just fine with that, and the result is a first down gain.

Agility is good, but offensive line players must have power. Big defensive players must be moved out of gaps in run concepts and stoned in pass protection. Tashawn Manning has the size and power to hold up playing against the best of the best.

Against Georgia, Jalen Carter gave Kentucky all kinds of issues. The former five-star recruit wrecked the Wildcats at the point of attack. When facing off against him 2020, Manning more than held his own at left guard. Grip strength and power are on display as Bo Nix gets a clean pocket to take a vertical shot.

A speed rush is not something that interior offensive line players will have to deal with much, but recognizing stunts is. Defenses are getting very good at disguising pressure packages and giving offenses multiple looks when it comes to passing downs. Communicating and working in unison is imperative to keep a quarterback clean.

Facing a third-and-long from their own six-yard line, Auburn finds itself in a passing down. LSU brings just a four-man pressure, but the Tigers run a twist to the weakside. At right guard, Tashawn Manning does a good job of not getting overextended and passing the defensive tackle to the outside while keeping his head up. This allows Manning to see the stunt and easily pick up the twisting defensive end while he has center help to his other side.

This protection pickup allows Nix to get to his check down with a run after the catch that moves the chains. The play was created by Manning seeing the stunt and executing.

The mental part of the game is just as important as the physical traits needed to play on the offensive line.

Before the season started, redshirt sophomore Eli Cox won a starting job at right guard due to his ability to move people at the point of attack. Tashawn Manning has similar ability, but athleticism may be a bigger trait.

The Auburn transfer is a very good pass blocker who is nimble enough to make plays in space. In gap schemes, he is a solid puller who can get locked up with linebackers to create running room. With a ton of experience, this is a player that can start for a plethora of teams.

Entering 2022, Kentucky will now have three proven guards with Cox, Manning, and Kenneth Horsey. The last two are stronger pass protectors while Cox is a mauler in the run game. Don’t be surprised if there is some shuffling to get all three in the starting lineup next season.

The Wildcats just added an important piece to the Big Blue Wall for 2022.