Old Dominion transfer safety Jahron Manning breaks down Mississippi State decision
Jahron Manning is making a return to the Magnolia State to finish off his college career. But this time he will be in the SEC.
The former Old Dominion transfer safety and New Orleans, La., native committed to Mississippi State on Wednesday, becoming the Bulldogs’ second transfer commitment and joining former Kennesaw State transfer cornerback Jayven Williams. Manning officially visited Mississippi State on Tuesday and Wednesday, and gave the State staff the good news before leaving that visit.
“My decision was really about the coaches,” Manning explained. “It was all about their staff and the opportunity to be in the SEC. It’s a good opportunity for me and I want to play for those coaches.”
Manning played his prep career at Brother Martin School in New Orleans before spending two years at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. While at Copiah-Lincoln, Manning was teammates with current Mississippi State running back Johnnie Daniels and incoming 2025 Bulldog signee LaKendrick James.
He got a good look at his future program this week and once again, he was impressed by the Bulldog coaches and their demeanor.
“That was my first time up there and it was great,” recalled Manning. “The coaches and staff stood out to me. They’ve got good energy and everything they do is from the heart. We went out to eat a lot, toured the facilities and talked some ball.”
Manning also held offers from Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Houston and Tulane among others. This past season at Old Dominion he collected 84 tackles, three interceptions, three PBUs and one sack. During his stay in Starkville and naturally, he got insight as to where he will be playing for the Bulldogs.
“We got into the specifics of the scheme,” the 5-foot-10 and 185-pound Manning added. “We talked about my position and they like me at the high safety. I’m used to playing that so it seems like a good fit.”
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He also noted of the feedback he received during his conversations with safeties coach Matt Barnes. Those talks centered around the positives and negatives of Manning’s game in the secondary.
“Coach Barnes said he likes the way I play,” remarked Manning. “We talked about how I play but he also talked to me about some of my cons that I have in my game. He said we are going to work on all of that.”
Manning also appreciated the “straight forward” talks he had with Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.
“Coach Lebby was great,” Manning noted. “He is a real genuine guy and he is straight forward. We talked about the program and his thoughts on what I can bring to the program. He told me how it is with the program.”
Manning is expected to enroll at Mississippi State in January where he will begin classes and offseason workouts with the Bulldogs.
