Austin Peay State University Athletics

Chukwuemeka Manning Jr. is in his first season as a defensive quality control coach, working with the Governors linebackers, after playing his final year of collegiate eligibility at Austin Peay in 2022.

After three seasons at North Carolina Central, Manning Jr. spent his final collegiate season at Austin Peay where he recorded 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks while playing in all 11 games for the Governors. In three seasons before coming to Clarksville, Manning Jr. was a 2021 Third Team All-MEAC selection while racking up 56 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in 33 games played for the Eagles.

Off the field, Manning Jr. made an impact in his first season at Austin Peay and was the first player in program history to be named a finalist for the Stats Perform Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award. He was one of 15 finalists for the award, which is presented to an FCS student-athlete who excels not only on the playing field and in the classroom, but in the community and beyond. Manning Jr. was also a member of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame 2023 Hampshire Honor Society.

Manning Jr. earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from North Carolina Central in 2021 and is on track to receive his master's in health and human performance with a concentration in performance enhancement and coaching from Austin Peay in August 2023.