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Nevada's Manes signs with Truman State
Nevada Daily Mail
During a ceremony held Friday at the Nevada High School Media Center, senior Taylor Manes signed a national letter-of intent with Truman State University of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
The 5-foot-10, 190 pound linebacker, was also a standout fullback for the Tigers, earning First Team West Central Conference honors at both positions in 2014.
During his senior campaign on the gridiron, Manes racked up 106 tackles (nine for a loss), five interceptions, and three forced fumbles. On the offensive side, Manes toted the ball 80 times, averaging 6.2 yards per carry as he totaled over 500 yard on the ground, while finding the end zone 12 times.
As the lead blocker for All Southwest Missouri first team tailback and kick returner Chaden Brandt, Manes proved to be an integral part of Nevada head coach Erik Yoakam's run-heavy scheme. Manes also spent some time at tailback.
"He was definitely a better running back. But I could block a little better than he could," Manes said with a chuckle.
Yoakam said that Manes left a lasting impression on the football program.
"Taylor brought a lot to our program," Yoakam said. "He was a very hard working kid, and has been very successful in his career and everything that he has done here."
Yoakam said Manes "improved tremendously" over the past few seasons.
"Not just as a football player, but also in the weight room," Yoakam said. "He's done everything that we've asked of him. And it's shown academically and on the field."
Yoakam said replacing Manes will be difficult.
"It's always tough losing seniors, especially really good ones," he said. "He was a team captain and a positive role model, so it will hurt."
Academic accolades
Manes is a four-year letterwinner, and a two-year member of the National Honor Society. Manes' 3.96 GPA ranks him seventh in the 2014 NHS senior class. The only blemish on his transcript came his freshman year.
"I had two A-minuses," he said. "They were in Spanish I both times. I got an A-minus each quarter."
Manes indicated that Truman State's academic reputation was a key factor in his decision.
Manes said he plans on majoring in biology-pre-medicine.
"They have a great program there," he said. Football accolades
* 2014 WCC First-team full back, First-team linebacker, All Southwest Missouri honorable mention running back, All Southwest Missouri honorable mention linebacker, third-team All-region linebacker and running back, and All-district first team linebacker, and team captain.
* 2013 All Southwest Missouri honorable mention running back.
Manes said the most memorable moment of his high school sports career came against Willard his sophomore year, when he hauled in his first catch.
Manes, who has been a lifelong resident of Nevada, is the son of Jim Manes and Carly Toliver. Taylor has three sisters, Samantha Leininger, Kara Manes, and Haley Manes. Taylor's stepfather is Jamie Toliver.