Sometimes you just need to step back from the world of football and figure some things out. Sometimes you have to focus on something else besides football, even for a Division 1 college football player. Everybody has a reason, and that is not always to be made public.
The meaning behind it is unknown, but Texas A&M defensive lineman Justin Manning is taking a breather from football this spring. Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin does anticipate Manning will return to the team in the summer though.
“People go through different things at different times,” Sumlin said following a spring practice on Monday, according to The Eagle. “He’s taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. A lot of times, we just think about football. [But] a lot goes on in young people’s lives.”
Manning was not starting and has struggled to find a meaningful role on the defensive line since arriving in College Station. When asked about who will be filling the void on the line, Zach Ledwik was one name highlighted by Sumlin.
“We’ve had different guys at different times that things happen and I think people outside don’t understand.”
Here’s hoping Manning takes care of whatever he needs to focus on away form the practice field this spring and is able to come back n a mission in the summer.