Skip to main content

WATCH: Eli Manning goes undercover during Penn State's walk-on tryout

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater09/19/22

samdg_33

On3 image
Kevin Langley | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Eli Manning had an overall phenomenal four-year college football career at Ole Miss. He threw for over 10,000 yards and 81 touchdowns over his time as a Rebel in Oxford. That career led him to be the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. After a few years of retirement following an incredible 16-year NFL career, though, Manning has returned to the college football field in a way few would ever expect to see.

During an episode of “Eli’s Places’ on ESPN+, Manning was at Penn State and spoke with head coach James Franklin about the walk-on experience in University Park. After learning about the process, Manning decided he needed to go through it himself under the alias ‘Chad Powers’.

The now 41-year-old underwent the full transformation and competed for a Nittany Lion roster spot with the rest of the walk-ons. However, Franklin won’t have to think too long on his decision to keep ‘Powers’ around or not after what was a very comical high jink from the two-time Super Bowl MVP.

WATCH: Eli Manning attempts to join USC’s Club 55

It seems Eli Manning has gotten the itch to step back onto the football field – and wants to do so by joining the USC Trojan’s infamous Club 55. Willie McGinest, a member of Club 55, decided to teach him the ropes.

Top 10

  1. 1

    12-Team CFP bracket

    The updated field is set

    Hot
  2. 2

    Miami AD shot at Alabama

    Dan Radakovich has CFP issues

  3. 3

    Bama over Miami

    CFP Chair addresses controversy

  4. 4

    CFP Top 25 revealed

    Controversy is here

    New
  5. 5

    Kobe Prentice

    Alabama WR to transfer

    Breaking
View All

Within the group resides some of the all-time great linebackers in Trojans history, including Israel Ifeanyi, Chris Claiborne, Markus Steele, Keith Rivers and Lamar Dawson. Most famously, NFL Hall of Famer Junior Seau donned the jersey as well, and is known as the original No. 55, despite others wearing the number before him. He set the standard – and Eli Manning didn’t live up to it.

“Do I remind you of any other 55’s?” Manning asked.

“Maybe some 55-year olds,” McGinest responded.

McGinest made sure to remind Eli not to quit the Manningcast when asked where or not he made it into Club 55. It’s safe to say he won’t be joining any time soon.