Tashawn Manning excited to meet standard of Big Blue Wall at Kentucky

Tashawn Manning is a super senior with a ton of SEC experience. The Auburn transfer is hoping to make a splash in his final season of college football.

Kentucky is looking to provide him with an opportunity to make an immediate impact.

On Thursday, the former three-star recruit out of Apopka (Fla.) Wekiva in the class of 2016 met with the media to discuss being a part of a new program. Manning is excited to be somewhere that recognizes strong offensive line play.

“It was big coming into a program that already has a foundation for the offensive line,” said Tashawn Manning. “They have a set standard. Coming in, I want to not just come in at the standard, but I want to raise that standard so that we can be better together.”

That standard is high in Eric Wolford’s position room. Luke Fortner, Darian Kinnard, and Dare Rosenthal should all hear their names called at the 2022 NFL Draft. Kinnard was a first-team All-American at right tackle. In April, the Wildcats will extend their streak to four years with at least one offensive line player being drafted.

The Big Blue Wall is one of the top line of scrimmage brands in college football, and the proof is in the pudding. That was attractive to Tashawn Manning.

“I love it because the fans they love their offensive line, and I’m an offensive lineman so where I can go somewhere where I can receive that love — I’ll go there 100 percent. I love giving the o-line attention,” said Manning. “I feel like the big boys need their love…I’m here for it.”

However, results just don’t happen automatically. Players have to work to achieve their goals. For Tashawn Manning, seeing how Kentucky’s offensive line went about their business during preparations for the Citrus Bowl was very attractive for a player that is trying to get to the NFL.

“Those guys come ready to work every day,” said Manning. “They come to the weight room, and they come out to the practice field, and they get their work in, and they get it done. They don’t waste time, and they don’t waste their time doing stuff that’s not going to help them get better on the field. I relate to that.

With spring football quickly approaching, Manning will be looking to bolster the interior of the offense. The guard at Auburn will get a chance to play center and could have a starting opportunity available to him. However, establishing relationships with other players in that position room will be vital to the success of the unit.

“With offensive line, you need to have chemistry, and you need to have trust with everybody,” said Manning. “And if you can trust everybody, everybody is going to play fast, and they’re going to play hard. If you can play for your brother next to you, that just makes us that much better.”

Kentucky’s offensive line currently has some big questions to answer in 2022. The Wildcats need to fill both offensive tackle spots and do not have a clear solution on the roster. Another transfer portal visit to address the position is quite possible this spring.

Yet, Tashawn Manning can help Kentucky lock down the interior in the present. The super senior will be looking to provide maturity and a steady hand to a position group that is dealing with some turnover and instability at the moment.

“Right now, I’m just trying to feel everything out, but eventually, I want to emerge as a leader on this team,” said Manning. “Try to take this team to the next level. Take the o-line to the next level.”

For Kentucky’s offense to reach the next level under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, the Big Blue Wall must find the right pieces in 2022. Tashawn Manning will be a key part of that at one of the interior positions.