Coveted 5-star DE to Florida State: 'I'm more of an SEC guy'
Outside of Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Shavar Manuel is the most coveted defensive end in the 2016 recruiting class.
Ranked No. 8 overall in the class according to the 247Sports composite, Manuel is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound member of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
The analysts at 247Sports, via the site’s “Crystal Ball Predictions,” installed Florida State as a heavy favorite to land Manuel.
While he could remain in the Sunshine State, the prep standout made it clear he would prefer Florida to FSU, thanks in large part to a desire to play SEC football. Manuel lists LSU, Auburn and the Gators as his top three schools at this juncture.
Five-star DE Shavar Manuel lists #LSU, #UF and #Auburn as his top schools. Asked about #FSU, he says, "I see myself as more of an SEC guy."
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) July 25, 2015
Manuel’s revelation means the SEC is likely to sign at least seven of the top 10 players in the ’16 class, as rated by 247Sports:
1. DT Rashan Gary (undecided; Michigan holds slight Crystal Ball edge)
2. OT Gregory Little (Texas A&M decommitment likely to sign with Alabama, A&M or Ole Miss)
3. QB Jacob Eason (Georgia)
4. DT Dexter Lawrence (undecided; Florida holds slight Crystal Ball edge)
5. QB Shea Patterson (Ole Miss)
6. CB Levonta Taylor (Florida State)
7. DE Nick Bosa (Ohio State)
8. DE Shavar Manuel (undecided; LSU, Florida and Auburn are top schools)
9. DT Derrick Brown (undecided; Georgia is a heavy favorite)
10. OLB Lyndell Wilson (undecided; Alabama is a heavy favorite)