2024 NFL Draft Profile: FIU LB Donovan Manuel

Joining FIU in 2022 after four years at East Tennessee State, Donovan Manuel transitioned well into the FBS game. He quickly became a dependable player in the

© HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Joining FIU in 2022 after four years at East Tennessee State, Donovan Manuel transitioned well into the FBS game.

He quickly became a dependable player in the middle, and arguably the best player on a team looking to gain momentum under a new staff. Manuel improved gradually each season in college, which could bode well for upcoming pro opportunities. He could even be a seldom-seen draft pick for FIU.

Here’s what to know about the Georgia native as April’s 2024 NFL Draft approaches.

Background

Measurements: 6'1" - 230 pounds

With the departure of Gaethan Bernadel, Manuel instantly became the leader of the FIU defense in 2023. Manuel led the Panthers in tackles with 121 and in tackles for loss with 15.5, plus an FIU single-season record of five forced fumbles. Manuel also had a strong 2022 with FIU, compiling 97 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Manuel was an All-CUSA Honorable Mention in 2022 and a second-team All-CUSA selection in 2023.

Donovan Manuel HIT STICK to cause a fumble on the goal line! 💥@FIUFootball | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/9lYy9NDwim

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 23, 2023

Prior to FIU, HERO Sports tabbed Manuel as an FCS All-American twice at ETSU in 2020 and 2021. He even once had 37 tackles in a three-game span. Phil Steele also named Manuel as a Freshman All-American in 2019. 2021 was his most productive season with the Bucs, totaling 123 tackles.

BUCS WIN! BUCS WIN! BUCS WIN!

Donovan Manuel steps up with the game-ending tackle on 4th-and-11 and ETSU improves to 4-0 on the season!

Bucs return home to host Wofford next Saturday (Oct. 2) at 3:30p in Greene Stadium!#ETSUTough pic.twitter.com/5dDYvr8GUR

— ETSU Football (@ETSUFootball) September 25, 2021

The Strengths

What stands out about Manuel is the ability to move around all parts of the field, as he earned the nickname "Pac-Man" from FIU football head coach Mike MacIntyre.

Where Manuel thrives the most is his sideline-to-sideline action, where he is extremely active and thrives the most. The defense that Manuel has been for most of his college career at both stops is the 3-4 defense, which took some adjusting for the Panthers in 2022, but began to feel a lot more comfortable in 2023.

His best performance of the season came in the Panthers week zero matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs where he had 15 total tackles. In his lone performance against SEC competition with FIU, Manuel had 12 total tackles against an Arkansas team that is run heavy.

What’s Next

Manuel could receive enough attention to be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft. If not that, he’d definitely be worthy of a mini-camp invite.