In the middle of Mississippi State’s massive overhaul on the defensive end, the Bulldogs were in search of difference makers in the backend of the defense. Old Dominion’s Jahron Manning emerged early in the transfer portal process as one of those type players and the Bulldogs were able to land him over interest from other […]
In the middle of Mississippi State’s massive overhaul on the defensive end, the Bulldogs were in search of difference makers in the backend of the defense.
Old Dominion’s Jahron Manning emerged early in the transfer portal process as one of those type players and the Bulldogs were able to land him over interest from other schools in the SEC. A New Orleans native, Manning played junior college football in Mississippi at Copiah-Lincoln and that’s when State first got on his radar.
After a huge season last year with the Monarchs, he was in search for a new challenge for his final season of eligibility and he found it in Starkville. Manning got his first chance of preseason training camp to speak to the media this week as he gave his thoughts on his training camp to this point and the season ahead.
Question: How would you assess your camp so far?
JM: “I would say I’ve had a really great camp. I feel like I’ve exceeded past my potential. My coaches helped elevate my game and my mental ability it really high. I get held to a really high standard and that’s best for me and my teammates. Overall, as a team, we’ve had a really good fall camp.”
Q: Who sets the standard for you guys?
JM: “Players. We’re not going to set nothing that we can’t reach. The standards are really high. I’m still working to get towards there, but by the end of the season I’ll get there.”
Q: How do you prepare yourself for a leadership role when you go to a new school?
JM: “It’s more me as a person being able to have that leadership characteristic within myself. Just being able to know and understand what it takes and bring those other guys up. Being that I came from another school, leadership is leadership and if you have that characteristic in you it’s important to step up and do it. A player-led team is the best.”
Q: Who has been standing out to you on the offensive side?
JM: “Fluff (Bothwell), Anthony Evans.. Really that whole offensive core and even the offensive line. The running back room is really talented and the receiver group. There’s really no plays off.”
Q: What’s been the biggest differences you’ve noticed from Old Dominion to here?
JM: “The biggest difference I’ve noticed is execution. Execution has got to be at an all-time high. Communication for sure, being that we play in a bigger stadium and bigger environment. Ball is ball, so being able to understand the game and communicate and execute.”
Q: When you were at Co-Lin, could you see yourself ending up here?
JM: “In JUCO, I did want to come to Mississippi State. Things didn’t go that way, but I’m glad I’m here now. It’s a really good decision. Life comes with risk and it’s a risk that I took. Being able to go to JUCO gave me a boost to bet on myself. I feel like really it’s just having that confidence and knowing who I am as a person.”
Q: Have you settled in at one position?
JM: “I’ve settled in more at safety. We’ve got a lot more guys rolling in at Sam and the Star position. I still know it and understand it. Safety will really help me master the defense and focus on that one spot.”
Q: What have you seen from the cornerbacks?
JM: “Our corners on the outside are really talented. We’ve got guys that can come in and start and great guys that can rotate behind those guys. It’s a new pair of fresh legs every time.”
Q: Do you see a radical difference of the running game this year from what you saw on film from last year?
JM: “I haven’t really seen the film from last year. I can tell you now that this year’s run game is going to be very explosive.”
Q: What impresses you about the offense?
JM: “Tempo. I feel like it’s a hard offense to keep up because you have guys that are running 4.3’s across the board and big backs that are running the ball really hard. You never know if you’re going to get the ball thrown over the top or if they’re going to run it down your throat.”
Q: How is that preparing you for the next level?
JM: “I feel like it’s preparing me pretty good. It’s a great experience overall, but my teammates help me get better and I help them get better. Iron sharpens iron.”
Category: General Sports
