Always-Smiling Manu Ready To Put Fear In Opposing Offenses
September 05, 2019 | Football
By Jillian Anderson
Fifth-year senior Kyler Manu has no shortage of enthusiasm as he heads into his final season with the Huskies.
Manu has played in 25 games during his four seasons on the team, coming in as a reserve in all of them up until last week's season opener. Every year has been different for him, doubling his playing time progressively starting with a redshirt season, appearing in three games in 2016. He followed that by playing in seven games as a sophomore in 2017 and all 14 in 2018. Now he has his sights set on a new horizon.
As a player who has been a reserve, he is more than ready to take on a starting position for the Dawgs.
However, this is not the first thing on his to-do list of accomplishments for 2019. As a fun-loving, and cheerful teammate, Manu hopes to accomplish more than what can be recorded by the statisticians in the press box.
"I want to live in the moment and relish everything," he shared, "it is important for me to be a leader for the younger guys and show them that they should keep a positive mindset throughout this whole process."
He has never been overly concerned about his numbers on the field, but rather the impact that he can make off of it. This is especially important as he is now one of the oldest members of the squad. Leading by example and never wavering in his outward expression of happiness, he hopes to leave behind a legacy of optimism.
"I will always be the one smiling, having a good time, and cracking jokes with everyone," he said. "No matter what, being happy and positive is the key."
With the level of pressure so high at the collegiate level, Manu's contributions to the team are nothing short of critical. Being able to minimize tensions and share enthusiasm has enabled Manu to continue to love his sport year after year; and he hopes for the younger guys to be able to do the same.
As mental health awareness has grown on college campuses, the importance of positivity has become increasingly important. Manu has provided a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the pressure of the sport takes a back seat to enjoying every moment. He shared that the motto he likes to live by now is: "Don't count the days, make the days count."
The motto is very fitting for someone with his lifestyle and for a player facing his last couple of months competing in a sport he has played his entire life.
Although it seems that Manu was born with the key to happiness somewhere inside of himself, he shared that he had a lot of help along the way. Growing up in what is the definition of a football family, Manu has been able to follow in the footsteps of his father, uncles, cousins, and brothers and compete in college athletics. Both Manu's father, uncle and two brothers played at Idaho State, while his oldest brother played at Willamette University.
One might think that in a football family like this, there would be an added level of pressure and intensity, but the opposite is true for Manu. He shared that his parents and brothers have been his "major support system throughout this entire process."
Despite busy schedules, Manu's family will be able to witness him playing in one last final season. For Manu that means "living in the moment and having fun". He will cap it in a few short months with around 30 members of his family coming out for an exciting senior night.
With the end nearing, Manu has reflected on his five years in the program. Throughout all the long days, hard practices, and difficulties, the one steady constant was Manu's unwavering love for football and his team.
"I was 100% going to stay here and play no matter what," he said. "The unity that we have had on this team has kept me here."
Manu credits his teammates and coaching staff for creating an enjoyable environment, saying, "I really enjoy the culture that we have created and played in here."
It doesn't hurt that Manu has been able to make a plethora of lifelong friends along the way, naming upwards of ten teammates when asked who his "best friend" on the team has been. Sharing that the group usually likes to go wake boarding and surfing on their days off, it is easy to understand why Manu has stayed committed throughout the years.
Although Manu will be sad to be leaving his sport, he couldn't be more excited for graduation. With only one quarter between Manu and his cap and gown, he already feels that it is going to be his favorite accomplishment during his time at UW.
"It was a long process that definitely had its ups and downs, and there were times where I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it," Manu said.
Manu is very proud of himself for getting to this point, as he should be. Being a student-athlete while still earning a degree is no easy feat. But there is still so much for Manu to accomplish.
Beyond football, the big question for Manu is what comes next in life. For most seniors this question causes much anxiety, but Manu doesn't seem too worried. Following a summer long internship in property management, Manu feels excited about this prospect and also states that one day his dream would be to work as a nature photographer. Manu has no shortage of passions outside the realm of football, including playing the ukulele, fishing, public speaking, and photography. He seems capable to take on any profession that fits his whim.
But for someone who knows the worth in making every day count, Manu has an entire senior season – in what hopefully is a breakout year – before he has to worry about the future.
Fifth-year senior Kyler Manu has no shortage of enthusiasm as he heads into his final season with the Huskies.
Manu has played in 25 games during his four seasons on the team, coming in as a reserve in all of them up until last week's season opener. Every year has been different for him, doubling his playing time progressively starting with a redshirt season, appearing in three games in 2016. He followed that by playing in seven games as a sophomore in 2017 and all 14 in 2018. Now he has his sights set on a new horizon.
As a player who has been a reserve, he is more than ready to take on a starting position for the Dawgs.
However, this is not the first thing on his to-do list of accomplishments for 2019. As a fun-loving, and cheerful teammate, Manu hopes to accomplish more than what can be recorded by the statisticians in the press box.
"I want to live in the moment and relish everything," he shared, "it is important for me to be a leader for the younger guys and show them that they should keep a positive mindset throughout this whole process."
He has never been overly concerned about his numbers on the field, but rather the impact that he can make off of it. This is especially important as he is now one of the oldest members of the squad. Leading by example and never wavering in his outward expression of happiness, he hopes to leave behind a legacy of optimism.
"I will always be the one smiling, having a good time, and cracking jokes with everyone," he said. "No matter what, being happy and positive is the key."
With the level of pressure so high at the collegiate level, Manu's contributions to the team are nothing short of critical. Being able to minimize tensions and share enthusiasm has enabled Manu to continue to love his sport year after year; and he hopes for the younger guys to be able to do the same.
As mental health awareness has grown on college campuses, the importance of positivity has become increasingly important. Manu has provided a perfect example of what can be accomplished when the pressure of the sport takes a back seat to enjoying every moment. He shared that the motto he likes to live by now is: "Don't count the days, make the days count."
The motto is very fitting for someone with his lifestyle and for a player facing his last couple of months competing in a sport he has played his entire life.
Although it seems that Manu was born with the key to happiness somewhere inside of himself, he shared that he had a lot of help along the way. Growing up in what is the definition of a football family, Manu has been able to follow in the footsteps of his father, uncles, cousins, and brothers and compete in college athletics. Both Manu's father, uncle and two brothers played at Idaho State, while his oldest brother played at Willamette University.
One might think that in a football family like this, there would be an added level of pressure and intensity, but the opposite is true for Manu. He shared that his parents and brothers have been his "major support system throughout this entire process."
Despite busy schedules, Manu's family will be able to witness him playing in one last final season. For Manu that means "living in the moment and having fun". He will cap it in a few short months with around 30 members of his family coming out for an exciting senior night.
With the end nearing, Manu has reflected on his five years in the program. Throughout all the long days, hard practices, and difficulties, the one steady constant was Manu's unwavering love for football and his team.
"I was 100% going to stay here and play no matter what," he said. "The unity that we have had on this team has kept me here."
Manu credits his teammates and coaching staff for creating an enjoyable environment, saying, "I really enjoy the culture that we have created and played in here."
It doesn't hurt that Manu has been able to make a plethora of lifelong friends along the way, naming upwards of ten teammates when asked who his "best friend" on the team has been. Sharing that the group usually likes to go wake boarding and surfing on their days off, it is easy to understand why Manu has stayed committed throughout the years.
Although Manu will be sad to be leaving his sport, he couldn't be more excited for graduation. With only one quarter between Manu and his cap and gown, he already feels that it is going to be his favorite accomplishment during his time at UW.
"It was a long process that definitely had its ups and downs, and there were times where I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it," Manu said.
Manu is very proud of himself for getting to this point, as he should be. Being a student-athlete while still earning a degree is no easy feat. But there is still so much for Manu to accomplish.
Beyond football, the big question for Manu is what comes next in life. For most seniors this question causes much anxiety, but Manu doesn't seem too worried. Following a summer long internship in property management, Manu feels excited about this prospect and also states that one day his dream would be to work as a nature photographer. Manu has no shortage of passions outside the realm of football, including playing the ukulele, fishing, public speaking, and photography. He seems capable to take on any profession that fits his whim.
But for someone who knows the worth in making every day count, Manu has an entire senior season – in what hopefully is a breakout year – before he has to worry about the future.
Players Mentioned
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