2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Mannie Ogletree, DB, Limestone College

• Name: Mannie Ogletree
• Height: 5’11           
• Weight: 190
• Position: DB
• College: Limestone College
• Twitter: @Mannie_uno

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• I’m from North Augusta, SC, also known as the NAWF in SC. Yes, it is in South Carolina, not Georgia. What I love the most about my hometown is its close proximity to other areas, it is in a central location and does not take long to get to Georgia, North Carolina, or Columbia if you want to go somewhere to have a good time.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• In my opinion, they all tie into one another and are essential but I chose film study as the most important. Everybody at the collegiate level can play ball so you must watch your opponent and dissect what he does to make extra plays off of recognition of formations, down and distance, and tendencies. I chose Strength and Conditioning second because this protects your body and gives you longevity for the season. The third on my list is practice this is when you sharpen your tools for war. Repeating things that you will see in the game to increase your instincts and make all movements efficient.

What do you worry about, and why?

• I try my best not to worry because I have faith that God has already planned out what is meant for me. I do have a couple of concerns which is my son, my mother, and my brother. I know that my son and brother watch my every move and often try to replicate what I do so I have to make sure I am making the right decisions and be a role model for them. My mother wants the best for me and I don’t want to ever let her down because she has invested so much into me.  

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• My first year of college when I was at Catawba College playing football on scholarship and I withdrew from school after the third week and lost my scholarship. At first, I was sad and almost depressed for about 6 months. I had a talk with a couple of my family members and I regrouped mentally to determine how I wanted to write to my story.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• My teammates would say leadership is my best quality. The role isn’t forced on me it just feels natural for me to guide others and show them how things should be done. Most of my teammates know the things I been through so I think they trust that if I can do it they can too.   

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Lawrence Pittman an RB for Wingate. He is complete back and runs the ball with bad intentions.    

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• I would be the Owner of training facility or gym.   

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

• Desk because that is my work space.  

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• I would save one family member. Family is very important to me the only thing I put before family is God.   

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• I would be Batman. He is the best superhero EVER. He has no super powers or guns he just beats villains with his bare hands. All black is unmatched and he too smooth.  

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• I would say it’s between losing my father at a young age and having a son at a young age. When I was younger and my father would go to work he would always tell me while I’m gone you’re the man of the house take care of your mama and brother. With him be gone permanently I had no choice but to be the man of the house all day every day. I still deal with the lost on the daily, but it made me mature faster. Having a son I realized that I’m no longer my biggest priority, he is my first priority and every decision I make effects his life.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• I used to be terrified of dogs in middle school. A guy I went to school with invited me to a birthday party he was having at his house, but I did not know he had a dog. Once I got to his house I told him I was scared of dogs so he put the dog in a room. When we went to the house to eat the cake we were all eating cake and somehow the dog ended up getting out of the room and ran straight to me. I jumped on top of the table and knocked a lot of the kids’ cake on the floor and wouldn’t get down till they grabbed the dog.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• My interception in the end zone against North Greenville University. It was my first start after being out of the game for two years.  

What song best describes your work ethic?

• Rise and Shine – J Cole 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• Football IQ because if you know what your opponent is trying to do you are a step ahead, and you will play more confidence and end up making more plays.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• My father because he did not get to see my son. I want him to see the men my brother and I have become. I need to have a couple of conversations with him that only he would understand. I know that he is one of the few people that can put a smile on my mama’s face and I’d do anything to see her smile. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• Moves Like Uno  

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL? 

• Jason Verrett  

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• Respected, people can like you all day and talk about you or treat you however they want. When you are respected your name holds weight.   

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• Colin Kaepernick because he took a knee for a crisis that was happening in America and the “important people in the USA” twisted his mission so he could look like the bad guy. He sacrificed his career for something he believed in, and he is a hero in my eyes. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• Hate to lose. Losing sticks with you and leaves a bad taste in your mouth I hate even thinking about it. One taste will make you never want to feel it again.   

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My mom because she is easily the hardest worker I know, she has never worked just one job it’s usually two or three. Not to mention she is a single mother that came home cooked, cleaned, and stayed active in me and my brother life. I have never heard her complain even though I know many days her body ached and she didn’t want to step foot out the bed. She pushed every day for us because she knows we depended on her so it only right I do the same for her I owe her the world.