Manley goes to NMSU

Below is Wes Nakama’s article from yesterday’s Honolulu Advertiser. What the article does not mention is the fact that UH is loaded with QBs and based on needs can only allot one scholarship for that position. In August the coaching staff contacted all the QB prospects and told them that they were only going to take 1 QB this year and the first one who signs would get that scholarship. Being the only local prospect, Manley was contacted first but he told UH that he wanted to wait and explore is other options. Kevin Spain was next and he jumped at the chance and immediately accepted.

Two years ago Manley was a top prospect. Many projected him as a 4-5 star however he has improved very little since his sophmore season and it was a good thing that he did not accept in August and again after the season when UH offered him a gray-shirt. Manley has a big arm but his poor footwork and lack of mobility are big concerns. He also throws too many interceptions at the highschool level and that means he is a major project for the R & S. Mac needs players that can contribute immediately and has no time for players that may take 3-4 years to develop.

Honolulu Advertiser Article on 12/22/09

Leilehua quarterback Andrew Manley, who just completed one of the most celebrated high school football careers in recent Hawai'i history, said yesterday he has made a verbal commitment to play for New Mexico State University.


Manley, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound strong-armed right-hander, told The Advertiser he gave his commitment to New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker while watching Saturday's Dallas Cowboys-New Orleans game on TV.

"I was talking to (Aggies) defensive line coach Jesse Williams and he said I could come in and compete for the starting quarterback job," Manley said. "I said I was ready to commit, and he put (Walker) on the phone."

Manley said it was the only scholarship offer he received for next season.
He said Hawai'i offered him a chance to attend classes part time in the fall (paying his own way and not playing football) with the possibility of receiving a full scholarship in January 2011 — a process called "grayshirting" — but he opted to take New Mexico State's immediate scholarship offer instead.

"UH wanted me to grayshirt, but there's no guarantee with that and I could end up with nothing," Manley said. "New Mexico State had been talking to me the past couple weeks, since the (Hawai'i/Polynesia vs. Mainland) all-star game, and I liked what they offered. I thought it would be the best for me."

Manley burst on to the local football scene two years ago, when he was called up from the JV during the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs and led Leilehua to five straight victories, including the school's first state championship.