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“I am committed to personal excellence, discipline and leadership on and off the field.”
Sounds impressive. Well, Kennedy Manyika is an impressive young man.
When Chuck Howard, Charlotte Metro area director for National Scouting Report, first heard about Manyika, he had his doubts about the 5-foot-10, 295-pound football defensive lineman and track and field thrower. After watching Manyika’s video, he was so intrigued that he went to see him play at Charlotte Christian School.
“Kennedy Manyika is simply a physical anomaly,” Howard said. “At first blush, you will see 5-10, 295 pounds and perhaps think he’s an overweight kid. In Kennedy’s football video, I saw a young man who was moving as quickly on the defensive side as his linebacker mates. I then scouted him in person and saw a pure athlete with tremendous God-given talent. He had excellent agility with the ability to move sideline to sideline along with the upper body strength to shed blocks.”
While football might have seemed the best route for Manyika to take, he found his true calling in track and field throwing events.
His training room and throwing numbers are near — if not beyond — many college-level standards. Manyika’s bench press max is 315 pounds. He also can bench 295 three times, dead lift 435 and squat 455. His vertical jump is 28 inches — exceptional for an athlete of his size. In track, his personal best in the shot put is 43-5, good enough for seventh place in the 2015 North Carolina State Track Meet. His 131-10 throw in the discuss allowed him to finish sixth in the same meet.
“Track and field and football are a huge parts of my life,” Manyika said. “At one point, my focus was on playing football at the next level, but in recent years I have fallen in love with throwing shot and discus. I am a firm believer in God’s plan for me and feel this is the path he wants me to take. He has given me the physical tools to throw at the next level and love the challenge ahead to get my numbers to a top level.”
But there’s far more to Manyika than athletics. A young man of deep faith, he is also a force for good as he has consistently demonstrated with the extracurricular activities he chooses.
“I have been on the A/B Honor roll since eighth grade and have served on the student government and as class chaplain for the past three years,” he said. “I am currently in charge of the high school praise and worship team and lead devotions each Wednesday morning for the seventh-grade boys. I also lead praise and worship at my church, where I am a lead singer and drummer. I am as determined to win as I am to make others better and to make a difference.”
Boasting a 3.8 GPA at a high school known for academic excellence, Manyika delivers in the classroom, too.
“Track and field and football have been great ways for me to foster personal discipline and develop leadership skills,” he said. “I also believe it can be a great platform for me to make a difference in the world. I am hoping to attend a school that will prepare me to be a leader during and beyond my collegiate athletic career. My long-term vision is to one day lead a company or an organization that truly can change people’s lives.”
Manyika is a truly special prospect, Howard said.
Howard’s advice to college coaches: “Please consider this wonderful recruit who can make a difference not just for your program but for your entire school.”
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.