2021 NFL Draft Prospect: Manny Rugamba, DB, Miami University (OH)
Manny Rugamba maybe the best player in the MAC Division, he is a superstar in the making. The 5110, 190 pound Illinois native has been a leader and a star on the field since high school.
He was a first team player and dominated on both sides of the field. He was also the team captain. He would leave Naperville Central and commit to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Hawkeyes football is one of the best programs in the entire country. He attended Iowa in 2016 and immediately began seeing playing time.
He saw action in all 12 games but started three games at cornerback. He finished the season as a true freshman with 19 tackles, and two interceptions.
In 2017, Rugamba would get first dibs at a starting cornerback position in 2017 and he was expected to be one of the next great Iowa defensive backs. He would have to face a little adversity though. He was suspended for the Hawkeyes’ season opener against Wyoming for violating team rules, then battled injuries the entire year.
Rugamba would eventually transfer in 2018 and have to sit out the entire season. He sat out due to the NCAA Transfer rules. Last season though, Rugamba came back stronger than ever.
Manny played in all 13 games and started everyone of them. He was named All-MAC third team and would end up being the MAC Championship Defensive Player of the Game. He finished the season with 85 tackles, 1 interceptions and 8 pass break ups.
This is the year I expect Rugamba to blow up!
NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Notes:
Manny Rugamba busted on the scene as a true freshman at the University of Iowa and was pretty damn solid. That is a tough secondary because they had guys like Desmond King and Greg Mabin. Rugamba played in every game at Iowa his first year and started at corner for three games. Now, the physical cornerback is in the MAC and he is just starting to get his feet wet back. I think this year the Redhawks cornerback is going to dominate. If he builds off the MAC Championship Game, he is going to have NFL scouts drooling. – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds, Owner
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com