University of British Columbia offensive lineman Giovanni Manu has scheduled seven top-30 NFL visits, per sources. His first was with the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas currently employs the only former UBC player in the NFL, offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley.
NFL teams are allowed to invite up to 30 prospects for interviews, facility tours and medical tests in the lead-up to the Draft. While typically referred to by the misnomer ‘top 30 visits,’ the practice is generally an indication of which players the organization feels might be available to them based on the selection order of the draft or ones on which they require more information.
Prospects who live or attend school within 50 miles of the team facility do not count against this quota. Workouts are not permitted during official visits.
16 NFL teams attended Manu’s pro day on March 29 at BC Place: the Cowboys, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.
The Colts, who are also confirmed to be bringing in the Canadian prospect for a visit, sent offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to the event. A total of 27 NFL teams requested the pro day workout video.
Manu stands six-foot-seven and 352 pounds. He recorded a 5.03-second forty-yard dash with a 1.81 ten-yard split, as well as an 8.29 three-cone and 4.81 short shuttle. The Pitt Meadows, B.C. native put up 23 reps on the bench press while leaping 33.5 inches in the vertical and 107 inches in the broad.
His forty-yard dash would have tied for ninth at the NFL Combine this year, while his vertical would have tied for sixth. He would have been the second-heaviest offensive lineman at the event behind only fellow Canadian Anim Dankwah.
Manu had a prolific U Sports career, earning All-Canadian honours in each of the last two seasons while playing both left guard and left tackle. A former high school basketball standout in the province, the Tongan-born big man earned the nickname ‘Baby Shaq.’
13 NFL teams sent scouts or made inquiries regarding Manu and his offensive line teammate Theo Benedet last fall. The Bears had a talent evaluator at UBC’s homecoming win over the University of Alberta. The Carolina Panthers sent a representative to the T-Birds’ game against the University of Regina. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks visited campus in the fall.
Manu has signed with the high-profile Klutch Sports Group and his agent is Zeke Sandhu, who also represents stars such as Odell Beckham Jr.
No U Sports players have been selected in the NFL Draft since University of Manitoba defensive tackle David Onyemata was taken in the fourth round in 2016 by the New Orleans Saints. However, the high level of interest in Manu suggests he could be in line to break that trend.
The 2024 NFL Draft takes place in Detroit, Mich. from April 25 to 27.
