Interview: 2019 CB Zahran Manley Updates Recruiting Interest and BYU Offer

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2017 season was Zahran Manley’s coming out party at cornerback. The 6-2, 165 pound, talent showed he was a college defensive coordinators’ ideal – a big corner with speed and technical skill. In six games played for Damien High School, Manley stopped 15 plays forced a fumble and picked off a pass. College interest started popping up and has followed him to his new school at Upland. Interest has come in from UCLA, Arizona State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Eastern Washington, Wyoming, and Oregon State among others, but on Wednesday, Jan. 31, BYU was the first to offer Manley.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down for a quick one-on-one with the rising 2019 California product to find out how BYU offered him with an update on his overall recruiting process.

*Click link for previous RNG interview with Zahran Manley (Oct. 23, 2017)

Interview

Zahran, congratulations on your offer today from BYU.

“Thank you.”

How did BYU offer you?

“I am really close to their safeties coach, Coach (Preston) Hadley. He hit me up last night saying he was coming by school. Today, I was called out of class – we had a long conversation about the school, and then he gave me the good news.”

How does it feel to get that first Division-I offer?

“It felt great. I feel like I am an underrated prospect. I train and work really hard – it is great to be rewarded for that with a scholarship offer from BYU.”

What have the BYU coaches told you they like about your playing abilities?

“They think I am a really long and athletic corner. They think I have a huge upside and a lot of potential.”

They offered you at corner?

“Yes, sir.”

Nice. You’ve picked up a lot of interest over the last year, which schools have been showing interest in you this month?

“USC, Arizona, Cal, Washington, Boise State, Utah State, and Oregon State. Notre Dame and Northwestern came by today to speak with me.”

I have to ask, what did Notre Dame say to you?

“They came to school to talk to Taj Davis, Justin Flowe, and I. It was more of a quick meeting, getting to know you meeting.”

Which other schools have come by Upland to meet with you in-person in January?

“Pretty much the same schools I listed out before: USC, Arizona, Cal, Washington, Boise State, Utah State, and Oregon State.”

Do you have any unofficial visits scheduled for this spring or summer?

“I plan on going to Cal, BYU, and Boise State for their camps. I may take an unofficial to BYU this spring or summer and maybe catch a game this fall. Coach Hadley wants me there for the Cal game (Sept. 8).”

Which camps and/or combines might you attend this spring or summer beyond the college camps?

“I am going to the Nike Opening and to Rivals.”

How are your offseason workouts going? What are you working on this offseason?

“My workouts are going well. I am working on adding a lot of mass to my frame to be more physical on the line. I am working on my technique and my off-coverage as a corner. My goal going to the camps and playing 7v7 is to get better going against top competition this offseason.”

Zahran, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your BYU offer.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Kerri Nordschow; No. 4 Zahran Manley