Tashawn Manning Bio
Tashawn Manning is an American professional football guard who plays in the National Football League. Born on May 23, 1998, in Apopka, Florida, he built his path to the league through college stints with the Auburn Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and has since continued his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Standing 6 ft 3 in and listed at 340 lb, Manning works the interior offensive line as a guard.
Early Life and Background
Tashawn Manning grew up in Apopka, Florida, a city northwest of Orlando known for producing a steady stream of football talent. He attended Wekiva High School in Apopka, where he developed into a college-ready offensive lineman. His size and movement skills at the prep level helped him attract attention from Southeastern Conference programs.
Coming out of Wekiva, Manning was regarded as a developmental interior prospect with the frame to add strength at the next level. He chose Auburn, located in Auburn, Alabama, beginning a college career that would span multiple programs. The Wekiva pipeline to Power Five football offered him an early stage to test himself against top-tier competition.
Path to American Football
Manning joined the Auburn Tigers in 2016, beginning a five-year run with the program. He redshirted his freshman year, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and complexity of Southeastern Conference defensive fronts. Through the following seasons, he developed within the Auburn offensive line room, learning the techniques and conditioning required to compete at the highest college level.
In late 2021, Manning decided to transfer. He committed to the Kentucky Wildcats on December 14, 2021, seeking a fresh start for his final college season. The 2022 campaign with Kentucky proved productive, and his performance earned him a selection to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star showcase for draft-eligible prospects. That invitation confirmed his standing as a pro-ready guard and set the stage for his move to the NFL.
Tashawn Manning Career
Early Career (2023)
Entering the 2023 NFL draft, Tashawn Manning was not selected by any team. Shortly after the draft concluded, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, earning his first professional opportunity. The Ravens, long known for developing offensive linemen, offered a fitting landing spot for a young guard looking to refine his game.
Before the start of the 2023 regular season, Manning was waived by the Ravens and then re-signed to the team’s practice squad. He spent his rookie year working on his craft in that developmental role, learning the weekly routine of an NFL offensive line. On January 29, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with Baltimore, keeping him in the organization for the following offseason. He was waived by the Ravens on August 27, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
On August 29, 2024, Tashawn Manning signed with the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, opening a new chapter in his professional career. The Bengals, an AFC North rival of the Ravens, gave him another chance to continue his development. He worked his way through the practice squad while contributing to the team’s weekly preparation on the offensive line.
On January 7, 2025, Manning signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati, locking in his place on the Bengals’ offseason roster. He was waived by the Bengals on July 20. Despite the roster move, his time inside the Bengals organization reflected continued growth as a professional guard. He remains an active NFL-caliber interior lineman with experience in two AFC North organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable achievements in Tashawn Manning’s young career is his selection to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl following his 2022 season at Kentucky, a recognition reserved for draft-eligible standouts. Signing as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 stands as another defining milestone, marking the transition from college prospect to professional football player. Securing reserve/future contracts with both the Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals further underscores his value as a developmental interior lineman.
Tashawn Manning Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Tashawn Manning’s career statistics are measured in roster moves, contracts, and developmental milestones rather than traditional win totals. Verified professional milestones include his undrafted signing with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, a reserve/future deal with the Ravens on January 29, 2024, his move to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on August 29, 2024, and a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati on January 7, 2025. These transitions map the early arc of his professional journey in the National Football League.
Tashawn Manning Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified information about Tashawn Manning’s parents and immediate family is limited. His upbringing in Apopka, Florida, and his time at Wekiva High School formed the foundation for his development as an offensive lineman. Further details about his family background are not confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Verified personal details about Tashawn Manning, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not publicly confirmed. He was born in Apopka, Florida, and his American nationality is established. Beyond his football career, additional personal-life information is not documented in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Tashawn Manning’s roster status shifted when he was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals on July 20, 2025, following a reserve/future deal signed in January. That move places him back into the pool of available offensive linemen ahead of training camp. His two years of practice-squad experience with the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals position him as a candidate for another practice-squad or reserve role.
Manning’s 2025 outlook is shaped by his development with two AFC North organizations and his selection to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl after his Kentucky season. If he secures a spot on a roster or practice squad, his primary path back onto a 53-man roster will likely depend on his fit in zone or gap schemes that highlight an interior lineman’s mobility and leverage. Throughout the year, his role, snaps, and unit performance will be the clearest indicators of his continued progress.