University of British Columbia offensive tackle Giovanni Manu is the most unique prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. NFL teams swarmed to analyze Manu, who ran a 4.96 40-yard dash at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds during his pro day. Manu also had a 33.5-inch vertical.
Those are the types of numbers that earned Manu approximately 11 pre-draft visits. Manu possesses an outstanding opportunity to be drafted despite never playing college football in the United States of America.
Manu recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about growing up with humble beginnings in Tonga, moving to Canada, playing basketball and football, the buzz he's received since his historically impressive pro day performance, and more.
JM: Your hometown is listed as Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada. As a fellow Canadian, I'm always curious, how did you fall in love with football? When did you start playing?
Giovanni Manu: I started playing football in the ninth grade. How I fell in love with football is actually a pretty cool story. I was born and raised in Tonga in the South Pacific. Growing up, the first sport I loved and had a passion for was Rugby.
We moved to Vancouver, Canada, and I went to Pitt Meadows. I wanted to continue playing Rugby, but I quickly learned that it wasn’t as popular in Canada. The athletic director at my high school informed me that they didn’t even have a rugby team. I asked her, “What do you guys do for contact out here?”
She asked me if I ever heard of American football (laughs). I said no. I went home and searched it on YouTube. I was 12-13 years old. I went home and watched a two-minute highlight reel of Ray Lewis destroying people (laughs). That was my introduction to football.
My passion and love for the game grew from there. It’s been with me ever since.
JM: That’s awesome. You actually played a little basketball before football, right?
Giovanni Manu: When I went to high school, I had enrolled during the winter. Football season was already over. The AD [athletic director] told me I had to wait for the following Fall. I was like okay, if I can’t play this sport right now, what other sports do you have to offer?
Basketball was played during the winter. That was the first sport I played when I arrived in Canada really by default. I ultimately fell in love with basketball as well. I ran with both football and basketball throughout my high school years.
JM: How did the skills you first learned in basketball translate to the football field for you? There’s a lot of correlation, particularly as an offensive lineman with footwork, etc.
Giovanni Manu: I think you said it perfectly. Footwork comes to mind immediately. The speed of the game translates. Having quick feet is so important in both sports. That’s especially important as an offensive lineman.
I believe the good footwork and the foot quickness I have in pass protection are partially due to my background in basketball. We were taught that we had to be light on our toes and quick. We had to react quickly on defense.
Good footwork as a post player is of the utmost importance. All of that translated from basketball to the gridiron for me.
JM: You were born in Tonga and moved to Canada as a kid, as you said. Talk to me about your heritage and how it shaped the man you are today.
Giovanni Manu: I was born to humble beginnings in Tonga. I was raised in a two-bedroom home. If you know anything about Polynesian family, it’s never just the immediate family that lives in your house. You have uncles, aunts, cousins, the entire family living in a small little house.
I grew up in a small house with about 10 relatives. We’re talking about 10 Polynesian people. Those are 10 very big people in a two-bedroom house. That’s my background.
The Polynesian culture, it’s all about being humble. My parents always taught me that. No matter how high you make it in life, you’re never too good for your own family. I’ll always be humble. We’re huge on family. I respect my parents and my elders. That was constantly taught in my household.
Those things shaped the person I am today.
JM: That attitude has taken you a long way so far. You’re enjoying the best moments of your life right now. What an unbelievable Pro Day performance you put forth. You ran a 4.96 40-yard dash at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds. You also had a 33.5-inch vertical. That's completely unheard of. It really doesn’t sound real. Have you noticed an uptick in attention you're receiving from NFL teams since then?
Giovanni Manu: I had NFL interest before the pro day. A few teams had come up to British Columbia during the season to watch me practice and play, but interest has definitely ramped up since pro day. It pretty much felt like all 32 teams were immediately blowing up my phone, and my agent’s phone as well. It’s been a crazy few weeks.
JM: You've been on like 11 pre-draft visits. The list I found on Twitter included Dallas, the Giants and Jets, Patriots, Browns, Bengals, Colts, Lions, Packers, Chiefs, and Broncos. I mean, wow. What's it been like to visit and tour all these places as a small school Tongan kid who played college ball at British Columbia?
Giovanni Manu: It’s been crazy. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tired (laughs). It’s led to a lot of long, tiring airport visits. I’m soaking it all up and enjoying the process. Where I come from, where I played college football at, there’s not many people that receive this opportunity.
I feel extremely blessed and thankful that these teams are flying me out and showing me what they have to offer. I’m meeting a bunch of coaches I had only ever seen on television. I’m having face-to-face meetings with them now. It’s been amazing.
JM: I bet it has. You actually played a lot of left tackle and left guard at British Columbia. What position do NFL teams primarily see you playing at the next level?
Giovanni Manu: A lot of teams have asked me what position I see myself playing. I ultimately told them that I’ll play whatever position they want me to play. Whatever spot I can get the most playing time at, that’s where I want to play. Some teams loved hearing that and said they can put me at guard or tackle.
Some of these teams reaching out to me already have a franchise left tackle. In those situations, guard would be a good option for me. I’m open to both guard and left tackle depending on the situation. It really doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play a role that helps the team win games. That’s all that matters to me.
JM: We've appreciated your time today. Thank you for allowing me to tell your incredibly unique pre-draft story. What kind of impact is Giovanni Manu going to make at the next level?
Giovanni Manu: Whatever team takes a chance on me is going to get the best version of me. They’re going to get every ounce of hard work and dedication I have in me. I’m the type of person that wants to be at the facility seven days a week.
I want to constantly work with my position coach to get better every single day. I want to learn our scheme instantly. That’s just who I am. I refuse to be outworked by my fellow peers or the competition. That’s my mentality.
That’s how I’ve always approached this game. That’s what a team is going to get out of me.
