The Arizona Wildcats are losing star linebacker Jacob Manu to the transfer portal, according to On3Sports.
Manu was a 2023 First-Team All Pac-12 selection in 2023. During his career with the Wildcats, he racked up 206 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six passes defended, and one interception.
The Santa Ana, California native’s 2024 season did not meet the expectations following the standout 2023 campaign. He finished with 47 tackles and two passes defended. Manu missed Arizona’s last five games with a non-contact knee injury he suffered in the UA’s loss to Colorado. His best game this season came against Northern Arizona when he had 14 tackles. It was his only game with double-digit tackles this season.
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Manu was a two-year team captain on the Arizona defense. He was one of the players credited for keeping Wildcats’ core roster in tact last offseason after head coach Jedd Fisch left to Washington. Fisch was expected to try and bring some of his players to the Pacific Northwest, but the team largely remained in tact.
Manu’s departure is not a shocker, but it’s definitely a tough break for Brent Brennan and his staff. Brennan is returning for the 2025 season after a brutal Year 1 that saw the Wildcats go 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big 12 Conference.
Manu has one year of eligibility remaining.
