After Auburn football’s 2021 season ended much worse than it started, it was no surprise that several members of the team would enter the NCAA transfer portal following the Iron Bowl. Including three-year starting quarterback Bo Nix, six Tigers entered their names in the portal at the end of the regular season.
One of the players that decided to leave Auburn football was offensive lineman Tashawn Manning. The senior lineman started every game at left guard in 2020 and then started in the final three games of 2021 in place of an injured Brandon Council after appearing in all 12 games.
Manning stepped up big-time for the Tigers in 2020 with a depleted offensive line corps and injured players. He entered the portal following first-year head coach Bryan Harsin’s decision to part with former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
However, after just a short time in the NCAA transfer portal, Manning has decided that he will spend his last year of eligibility remaining in the Southeastern Conference with Kentucky football:
Former Auburn offensive lineman Tashawn Manning is transferring to Kentucky pic.twitter.com/mzyWYMYJ21
— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) December 13, 2021
A Sea of Blue reports that Manning will likely start at right guard with the departure of Austin Dotson from the Wildcats and Kenneth Horsey returning to start at left guard. Manning’s decision comes after he spent last weekend on a visit to Lexington.
Tashawn Manning declined an interview request but wanted to offer a statement to the Herald-Leader:
— Joshua Moore ⚡️ (@JoshMooreHL) December 13, 2021
"I want to let everyone know that I’m ready to work and I’m all in."
Bryan Harsin and his staff will have big shoes to fill with the departure of the offensive lineman, especially considering that the Tigers currently only have one OL signed in the recruiting class of 2022 in Auburn High’s Eston Harris Jr.
With early signing day less than 24 hours away, let’s hope that Harsin and the staff will add some offensive lineman to the 2022 roster very soon.