There he was, shiny helmet sitting atop the freshman’s new shoulder pads, all covered by a newly issued Drake University practice uniform. Steve Manos was a highly rated and perhaps over-touted outside defensive lineman recruit, at 6 foot 2 inches, 220 pounds, with a 4.6 forty-yard dash! The phenom’s arrival was supposed to marked a new era in Drake football, reminiscent of the Reggie White’s leading a resurgence of the NFL’s Green Bay Packer franchise.
Steve was intent on making a name for himself, validating the press and high expectations. Quarterbacks wear red pinnies at practice so as not to become target fodder for salivating defensive linemen. But today was going to be different. Today Steve Manos was going to impress. An offensive line shift left Steve unmarked outside the offensive left tackle. The ball is snapped, what an adrenalin rush. He charges unblocked on a direct path to the quarterback. He’s within arm’s length. He launches.