Junior linebacker Terrell Manning has entered the NFL draft, N.C. State confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Manning, one of the team's best defensive players, finished the 2011 season with 76 tackles and three interceptions, including one in the Wolfpack's bowl win over Louisville.
Manning, a fourth-year junior, led the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and shared the team lead in sacks (5.5).
Manning missed two games with a knee injury, including the 44-14 loss at Cincinnati on Sept. 22. His return was one of the main reasons for the defense's improvement over the second half of the 2011 season.
Manning, who was unavailable for comment Tuesday, has hired an agent which means he can't return for his final season. Some online draft sites project Manning to be a mid-round pick, in the fourth or fifth rounds.
On Nov. 22, Manning said after team practice that he would be back for his senior season.
"I'm definitely looking forward to coming back next year," Manning said then.
At 6-3 and 233 pounds, he has the size to play in the NFL. He submitted the paperwork to the NFL to have his draft status evaluated but did not wait for the league's official response.
A two-year starter from Laurinburg, Manning had 75 tackles and 4.5 sacks as a sophomore.
Without Manning, the Wolfpack's depth at linebacker will be tested in 2012. Seniors Audie Cole, the team's leading tackler, and Dwayne Maddox also depart.
Sophomore D.J. Green, who started seven games before being sidelined for the year with a foot injury, returns. Sterling Lucas, a senior who missed the season with a knee injury, is also expected back.
Freshman Michael Peek and sophomores Ryan Cheek and Rickey Dowdy were listed as backups on the depth chart but did not see significant action this season.
Staff photo by Ethan Hyman - ehyman@newsobserver.com -- N.C. State's Terrell Manning celebrates after sacking Clemson's quarterback Tajh Boyd during the first half of N.C. State's game against Clemson Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
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Wed, 03/28/2012 - 08:05 — ChristianOlsenBest of luck NFL.As i always looking for new something, then Games like NFL give me a charming sight.
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Manning
Thu, 01/05/2012 - 11:25 — gvillegatrA fantastic LB. not gonna miss him one bit.
See you on Sundays! San Diego needs help!
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 16:25 — PACK_MIKE77The problem with having good players and a successful team, the good players have the option of going pro. Leaving the fans disappointed.
But, at the same time, O'Brien is obviously successfully recruiting good talent.
I would not mind losing two or three a year to the pros if O'Brien can replace them with athletes of the same caliber. The only issue is experience.
It is always nice to flip on a pro game and see a couple of NC State players. Currently there are quite a few, with one a prennial Pro Bowler. Always good for recruiting.
Looking forward to seeing Terrell on Sundays.
Significant blow to the
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 16:00 — ProwlingWoofieSignificant blow to the defense for next year. Makes a thin LB corp even thinner.
Can't blame him for testing his stock, but would think it wiser to wait for the official verdict before hiring an agent, eliminating the possibility of a return.
A year as "the man" in the middle, ala Nate Irving, probably would've helped his draft stock, but that's his call.
Thanks for all you contributed to the school and team, Terrell - best of luck in the NFL !
Good luck Terrell
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 15:40 — JPDOhioSorry to see you go, but I think it is a good decision on your part. Best of luck in the NFL.
Big
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 15:19 — YAR8packHad a feeling he'd go to the NFL draft. He won't be anymore than possibly a mid-third round pick. But either way, he's gone from NC State. There's no way NC State would've won 4 out of their last 5 games had Manning not been on the field. Good luck to him.
Glad to get Sterling Lucas back, but having Manning leave early really hurts the Pack defense's depth. Gonna be some big shoes to fill.
good luck TM! you will be
Tue, 01/03/2012 - 15:14 — dar456good luck TM! you will be missed in raleigh.