Two visits left for Tallahassee DB

Joe Manning Scouting Video: Clip No. 1 * Clip No. 2

Tallahassee Lincoln's Joe Manning says if he has to leave the South for some reason, there's one thing he'll really miss.

"If I go away, I'd have to get used to the snow," said Manning. "And, I love grits, and there is no grits in the North."

So if cuisine is the issue, then you'd have to think that Florida State, Auburn, and Tennessee have the edge. The three-star cornerback is back from his official visit to Auburn where he says the southern hospitality was nice.

"It was a pretty good visit," he said. "I hung out with Rodney (Gallon), Willie Williams, and NFC Quarterback and Auburn Commit Blake Field."

Right now, Manning says every school is equal. He visits Tennessee this coming weekend and Florida State the following weekend. On the Seminole front, Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews will make an in-home visit on Wednesday, while Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer and staff will be in Thursday night. Auburn Head Coach Tommy Tubberville and his staff are also expected sometime this week, but a date has not been set up.

After he wraps up his official visits, Manning will begin to narrow his list in hopes of having a couple finalists. The plan is to commit on signing day but he has yet to give any hints as to which team or teams have the lead, but staying in the South is definitely favorable to the defensive standout.

"Every school has it's good qualities and good facilities," he said. "so far I've met some really good people."

The six-foot, 175-pound defensive back had a strong senior season finishing with over 65 tackles, six interceptions, seven pass break-ups and five kick blocks. He also led his team in "big hits". He finished his career with an appearance in the January Cali-Florida Bowl.

Academically, he carries a 2.8 GPA and has scored an 18 on the ACT. He projects as a full-qualifier.

Lee Gordon is the Sports Director at WCTV (CBS) and WTHL (FOX) in Tallahassee...His reports can be seen at 5:30, 6:00, 10:00, and 11:00 Monday-Friday. Lee's broadcast experience began at WFLD in Chicago where he worked as a sports producer on the Bears Sunday Live show. From there he was the Weekend Sports Anchor/Reporter at KTVQ in Billings, Montana (yes, where the rodeos are)...

You can watch Lee's coverage of high school football on the Friday Night Blitz on WCTV and his nightly Florida State Reports.

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