It’s been a bit of a rough start to The Opening for standout wide receiver Omar Manning. The Lancaster product tweaked his hamstring on Wednesday and was held out of action. On Thursday, Manning attempted to give it a go, but hamstring flared up again, forcing him to the sideline. On top of that, he suffered a busted lip when a football sailed through traffic and caught him in the mouth.
Despite the slow start, Manning’s in good spirits and he said he plans to participate when 7-on-7 play begins later in the weekend.
Manning, a four-star prospect and Rivals250 member, is one of the Longhorns’ top recruiting targets for the 2017 class. He’s playing things pretty close to the vest but Texas is a school that sits high on his list.
Key quote: “They’re amazing dudes, amazing coaches. We really hit it off when I went down there. It was great,” Manning said about the UT staff.
No formal list, but …: The 6-3, 200-pound Manning said he has “a few teams” standing out, but he’s not ready to release the names. He hopes to release a top five before the 2016 season begins, as well as announce a date for his commitment.
When he does release his favorites, the Longhorns will make the cut.
“They will be,” Manning said when asked if Texas would be in his top five.
Upcoming visits: Manning plans to attend UT’s Under the Lights camp on July 23. He’s also trying to get out to Alabama and Texas A&M for visits.
Texas’ message: The Longhorn coaches have stressed to Manning that he would fit into the program’s new offensive system, as well as the family atmosphere of the program. Manning got a look a glimpse of UT’s offense while watching the spring game, but said he’s curious to see it this fall to get a clearer picture.
“I watched the spring game and really liked it. I think the season, when I get to see more and go down there for a game or something, see it first-person, I’ll get more excited,” Manning said.
Manning got some more insight into Texas’ new offense when he visited the UT campus in June. During that visit, he got to sit in with the coaches and watch some practice film.
“When I met the coaches, they’re great dudes,” Manning said. “It felt like a family, like my coaches at my school right now.”
Another UT ally: It’s not just the UT coaches that are recruiting Manning. Texas quarterback commitment Sam Ehlinger has also been in Manning’s ear.
“All the time,” Manning said. “He just reminds me every day that he wants me there with him. He’s a great dude.”
