With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away (April 26-28, New York), Terrell Manning’s decision to leave N.C. State after the 2011 season is beginning to look somewhat risky.
While most of the draft analysts still see the 6-foot-3, 237-pound outside linebacker as a likely pick, Manning’s status has slipped some during the past month.
Once assessed as a second-rounder, Manning has slipped into the fourth/fifth round range in several of the projections. A couple of those even think he might wind up in the big post-draft pool of free agents.
Manning’s decision to go pro no doubt was swayed in part by a knee injury he sustained last season. After surgery he was able to return two weeks later and played a key role in the Wolfpack’s strong finish, 8-5 record and bowl win over Louisville.
It’s not completely impossible that three State linebackers will be drafted. Inside LB Audie Cole is generally projected to go in the third or fourth round. Dwayne Mattox, an outside LB, has a some chance of going late.
UNC’s Zach Brown has a shot at being the first outside linebacker picked. The first ACC player to go could be Boston College inside LB Luke Kuechly.
The ACC probably will not have a quarterback to get picked _ unless you want to count Russell Wilson of Wisconsin by way of State.
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