Auburn could be without freshman defensive lineman for remaining spring practices
DL Tashawn Manning, a 3-star recruit from Auburn’s 2016 class, has had a long and winding road to college football.
After committing before last season, Manning was diagnosed with cancer and had to battle his way back from that disease, missing the whole season. However, to start the spring session this year, he was cancer-free and ready to go.
Now, though, he’s dealing with another (albeit much less serious) setback — an undisclosed foot injury. According to AL.com, defensive line coach Rodney Garner thinks it could cost the young defensive tackle the rest of the spring session:
“The problem is this is Day 9 and Saturday will be Day 11, so there’s a probability (that he won’t return this spring),” Garner said Tuesday.
As he recovers from the foot injury, Manning’s goal will be to drop some weight. Garner said he wants to see the promising player lose 15-20 pounds before the start of the 2017 season:
“He’s a big, body-quick guy and we probably need to trim him down a little bit,” Garner said. “I think he was in the 320-ish (pound) range, and I’d like to see him more around 300, 305. I think that’s what our goal is, but I was pleased with him while he was out there.”
Auburn only has five practice sessions remaining this spring, so it doesn’t make sense to rush Manning back if he’s not ready. If he can’t return, he’ll work toward being ready for summer practices in a couple of months.