| Florida State Seminoles — No. 3 | |
| Quarterback | Junior |
| Major: Engineering | |
| Date of birth: March 19, 1990 | |
| Place of birth: Virginia Beach, Virginia | |
| Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Weight: 245 lb (111 kg; 17 st 7 lb) |
| Career history | |
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| High school: Bayside High School, Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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College(s):
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| Bowl games | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Stats at ESPN.com | |
Erik "EJ" Manuel Jr. (born March 19, 1990) is an American football quarterback. He currently plays college football as the quarterback for the Seminoles of Florida State University. He took over the position from Christian Ponder late in the 2009 season due to Ponder's shoulder injury.
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Manuel was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He attended Bayside High School, where he played football. In 2004, as a freshman, he started at quarterback and threw for 589 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as rushing for 119 yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore, he recorded 1,332 passing yards and eight touchdowns as well as 276 rushing yards and six touchdowns. As a junior, Manuel threw for 1,973 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. In 2007, as a senior, Manuel passed for 1,859 yards, 18 touchdowns and rushed for 541 yards.[1] He was considered a five-star recruit by Scout,[2] a four star recruit by Rivals[3] and both sites, as well as Sports Illustrated,[4] listed him the second best quarterback. An All-American quarterback in high school, Manuel was recruited by then FSU Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher, now the head coach.
Manuel took over for an injured Christian Ponder as the 4-5 Seminoles were in danger of finishing with a losing record for the first time since Bobby Bowden took over the program. His first start was an away game against Wake Forest. He completed 15-20 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown, leading the seminoles to a 41-28 win over Wake Forest, who at the time had won three games in a row against Florida State. Manuel struggled in his second game against Maryland but still managed to pull out a much needed win making FSU bowl eligible. Manuel's struggles continued against the dominating Florida Gators, and the mobile quarterback wasn't able to get into a rhythm as Florida State lost, 37-10.
Florida State entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors.[5]
Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder, who battled a nagging forearm injury. In his first start against Clemson, he picked up 71 yards on 15 carries.[6] He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina when Christian Ponder was injured in the second quarter.
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