Manuwai drops Vince Manuwai is no longer a resident of NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper's Big Board of the 25 most draftable players.
from Kiper’s list
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comIf that bothers the former Hawaii offensive lineman, who reached No. 10 at one point, he's good at hiding it.
"People come and go on that list and Mel Kiper's not the one who's going to draft me," Manuwai said from Tampa, Fla., where he is preparing for the NFL combine, Feb. 18-24. "The exposure was good, but it doesn't really matter what he says now. It's what the coaches and the scouts think."
What amounts to a four-month job search continues for Manuwai, who has been in Florida under the watchful eye of agent Ken Kramer of IMG since New Year's Day.
If you think Manuwai's living the high life, think again. Just suffice it to say he's not driving a Hummer based on his future earnings.
"It's all work, basically lifting and running all the time," the Associated Press second-team All-American said. "If I want something within reason, they'll get it for me. The only thing I really asked for is some video games, and they got that for me."
He's projected as a second-round pick by many so-called experts, but Manuwai still thinks he can be picked in the first round of the April 26 draft.
"Miami and Cleveland have got everything they need except O-line," he said. "Houston says they like me a lot, but they want a running back in the first round."
Manuwai said he has also met with representatives of the Jets and the Chiefs.
He has a "workout day" set for March 11 in Santa Monica, Calif., where he will perform for several teams (and then sneak home to Hawaii for a few days).
Coaches will want to see how he has progressed at working out of a three-point stance. It's something Manuwai rarely did at UH but has been working on for more than a month. They'll also want to know if Manuwai can play center -- such versatility could push him into the first round.
But he's not counting on it.
"I can't, because of all the juniors who are out for the draft now. But I feel like I had a good Senior Bowl. Right now I'm trying to maintain my weight at 305," the 6-foot-2 Farrington High School graduate said. "My body fat's at 19 percent, and I'm told that's good for an offensive lineman."
Manuwai will be joined at the combine in Indianapolis by former teammates Wayne Hunter (tackle), Lui Fuata (center), Mat McBriar (punter) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (linebacker).
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