Grading System

RICKY MANNING JR.

Position: CB Class: Sr School: UCLA Conference: Pac-10 Ht., Wt.: 5'8½, 185 40 Time: 4.53 Grade: 3.55 Selected by Carolina Panthers Round 3, pick 18 (82 overall)

BIO: Accomplished baseball player selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 1999 baseball draft. First-team All Pac-10 choice every season since his sophomore campaign. Finished with 39 tackles, four INTs, and seven pass defenses as a senior after 36-3-3 the prior year and 65-4-14 as a sophomore. Used sparingly to return kicks and punts in the past. POSITIVES: Fluid defensive back with a nice feel for coverage. Smooth transitioning off the line, easily runs downfield step for step with opponents and displays a nice burst of closing and recovery speed. Redirects to the action or adjusts nicely in midair and displays good ball skills. Battles throughout the play, times and anticipates his defenses well, quickly turning back to the ball to make a move on the throw. Defends the run and takes on bigger opponents at the line of scrimmage. NEGATIVES: Small, has difficulty in press coverage or in man-to-man situations against big receivers. Not the most instinctive and gambles on occasion. ANALYSIS: Solid nickel back at the next level who should be able to help out on special teams as either a return specialist or coverage units. PROJECTION: Mid Fourth Round