Conner Manning

Football

‘Where Are They Now Wednesday’ – Conner Manning

Our student-athletes are what make Georgia State so special. Our 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' segments feature former student-athletes from across all of our sports and not only look back on their accomplishments, but where they are now.

A two-year starter and the MVP of the AutoNation Cure Bowl, Conner Manning quickly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in our young program's history when he transferred in for the 2016 season. In 22 games he passed for more than 5,800 yards, threw 30 touchdown passes, and guide the Panthers to their first-ever bowl victory. Football, and his other love, travel, have continued to be a huge part of his life as the game has taken him to places he never could have imagined.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up to since finishing up at Georgia State a few years ago (work, sports, family)
Once my time at GSU came to an end in the winter of 2017, I stayed in Atlanta for another year (2018) coaching (golf and football) and teaching at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. I started my journey as an athletic department intern at Mount Vernon in 2017, while I was completing my Master's Degree in Sport Administration. In the fall of 2018, I signed a professional contract to play football overseas in Switzerland for the Calanda Broncos for the upcoming season in the spring of 2019. I've spent the past two and a half years back and forth from Switzerland playing for the Broncos and my hometown in Southern California. When I am home, I coach at a local high school, San Juan Hills. In 2019 we came in second in the Central European Football League (top teams in Europe compete in a round robin tournament) but won the Swiss Bowl (Swiss League Championship). Our season in 2020 got cut short due to the coronavirus. I am currently in my final season playing for the Calanda Broncos which will also most likely be the end of my playing career. 

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now?
My experience at GSU has helped me in multiple ways to where I am today, first and foremost getting to prolong my football career for a top tier team in Europe. I've always wanted to live and travel throughout Europe, so the game of football has helped me live out those dreams. Conner Manning

You transferred to Georgia State as a graduate transfer after three years at Utah. What intrigued you about the Panther program at that time?
Many things intrigued me about my decision to transfer from Utah to GSU, for example relationships with coaches, GSU coming off a bowl game the previous season, location, and getting a chance to earn the starting spot. A few of my coaches from Utah, Dennis Erickson and Aaron Roderick, were vital in my transfer process. Coach Lapano, who was the wide receiver coach at GSU at the time, had coached for Coach Erickson for many years so he had a ton of respect and knew I would have success there. Also, Coach Huard who was the former QB/OC at GSU recruited me when I was in high school, so I already had a relationship with him. Having the opportunity to live in a major city and go to a university with a new football program which I could be a part of building success excited me. 

You had the honor of leading Georgia State to its first win in a bowl game, while also earning MVP honors. What was that game and experience like?
Whenever you earn the right to go to a bowl game it means your team has had a good season but being a part of the first team to ever win a bowl game in school history was extremely special. Obviously when you go to a bowl game you're there for one reason which is to win the game, but that whole week of activities with my teammates made it even more special. That whole week and game I'll never forget, making history. 

After graduation, you continued to play and have played all over the world. Tell our fans more about that and what led you to continue playing.
Like I previously said, I have always wanted to live and travel overseas, so I'm extremely grateful the game of football has given me that opportunity. The thought of that possibility started in high school when my QB Coach/OC Geoff Buffum, who also coached in Europe during the spring, implanted the idea to go play in Europe whenever my career in the U.S. was over. Throughout my collegiate career we kept in touch about someday playing for him and it finally came to fruition in 2019. Playing overseas is another great way to continue one's career who might not make it to the NFL. I don't think I could have asked for a better life experience - I get to play the game I love at a high level, while living and traveling throughout Europe is quite extraordinary. The relationships I've made, cultures I've experienced, places I've seen have truly been a dream come true. Throughout my stay overseas I've been to 14 different countries and will visit a few more before my time comes to an end. Conner Manning

You and your teammates had the honor of playing the first season in Georgia State Stadium, now Center Parc Stadium. Was it a little extra special for you to be a part of the team that got to move into our new home?
Playing in the first season in our new home was definitely special. During my three years at Utah and two at State I've been able to play at some really amazing stadiums. Playing at the now Center Parc Stadium had a very unique feel to me, with it being a former Olympic stadium, professional baseball stadium, and now our university's football stadium is surreal. Now as it serves as the football team's full-time facility and with the current development underway around the stadium sure gets you very excited for the future of our great university. 

If there is one thing you could go back and tell the college version of yourself, what would it be?
If there was one thing I would tell myself back then, it would probably truly live in the moment and don't worry about the things you can't control. The things you miss the most are just being around your teammates and enjoying each other's company. Sometimes you don't truly appreciate those moments because they may not seem like of such high value at the time but when you look back at your experience, those are the times you miss the most so don't take them for granted. 
 
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