Manuwai begins While most people take the day off today, Vince Manuwai begins his professional career.
his pro career
The Hawaii guard signs an agent
and prepares for the draftBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comManuwai, the Hawaii guard named to several All America teams and projected to go in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, has secured Ken Kramer of IMG as his agent. He reports to Tampa, Fla., today to begin preparing for the Senior Bowl, the Hula Bowl, the scouting combine and the draft.
"It's time to get settled in and go to work," Manuwai said yesterday from Woodbridge, Va., where he celebrated New Year's Eve with his mother and brother.
Tim Couch, Peyton Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson are among Kramer's other clients, Manuwai said.
"One of the things I like about him is all his guys are football players," Manuwai said. "(Kramer) said I fit his group because they like humble people. I liked (IMG) right away, but it was tough picking. You can only pick one agent."
Manuwai's IMG "classmates" include Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich and Eastern Illinois quarterback Tony Romo.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Manuwai said his first task is to work on operating out of a three-point stance, something he rarely did in the Warriors' pass-heavy offense.
"I mostly need to fine-tune for the things scouts will be looking for at the Senior Bowl and work on the three-point stance," Manuwai said. "I want to make sure I have the same blocking posture coming out of the three-point stance. I'm already more comfortable run-blocking from a three-point stance."
Manuwai said IMG is bringing a former NFL offensive line coach with 25 years experience to Tampa to work with him in the coming weeks.
Although most high-round prospects are advised to play in only one all-star game, Manuwai said he wants to play in the Hula Bowl.
"Things could change, but as they are now, I want to play on Maui. It's my home state and that's important to me," Manuwai said. "I have to play in the Senior Bowl. It's the most important all-star game there is, and I have to put all my efforts into that. But if something does happen and I can't play (in the Hula Bowl), I still want to come and support my teammates and the game."
After the all-star games, Manuwai prepares for the combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 22. His height, weight, strength, quickness, agility, intelligence and personality will all be evaluated.
The draft is April 26 and 27.
Manuwai will spend most of the next few months away from Hawaii and his young family. His girlfriend gave birth to their second child last month.
"It's very hard," the Farrington High School graduate said. "But I have to do what I have to do to set things up for the long run. If I don't put myself in the best position possible for the draft, I can't create the best possible situation for my family in the future.
"I know while I'm working hard, my teammates at UH will be working hard for their next season, too. I hope they do well."
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