“He’s a competitor, he’s going to give you 110% and he is going to do whatever it takes to win.”

When Nate Irving, former N.C . State All-American linebacker and current star of the Denver Broncos says that about redshirt junior linebacker Terrell Manning, you have to believe him.  That’s only if you haven’t seen him play. Anyone who has seen him play will agree with Irving.

Manning’s time at N.C . State has been nothing short of a revelation. From his first year where he just started in two games to being one of the first names on the team sheet, Manning has come a long way. Coming into N.C . State as one of the top prospects in the nation, Manning continues to perform at a high level. However, he has had a few challenges of his own to contend with.

“Injuries, playing a physical sport like football, you are going to get injured and I suffered two of them, two surgeries,” Manning said. “But I was blessed to be able to come back and play football and still be able to have an effect on the team and be a decent player.”

Despite all the success on the field, which has seen him collect two ACC Player of the Week awards, Manning pays tribute to two people who have had a big impact on his life.

“The person who has had the biggest impact on me is my mom,” Manning said. “She has been there with me through everything and helped me out even when other people didn’t believe in me. She was always there, so I have to give everything to her. She deserves the world.”

Manning also attributes his success to the guidance of former teammate Nate Irving. 

“Here at N.C . State it has to be Nate,” Manning said. “Seeing everything he has been through — obviously a life and death situation but he survived and was able to come back. Even now we still keep in communication. It’s always easy for me to pick up the phone and talk to him about anything I have on my mind.”

While Manning has been a part of many famous victories over Florida State, Clemson, Maryland and UNC , one particular moment sticks in his mind.

“The best moment I have had so far at N.C . State would probably be last year at Carolina,” Manning said. “I had a safety there in the game, I sacked T.J . Yates It was pretty fun. When I look up now, he has gotten into the NFL. It’s kind off funny that I can actually say that I sacked a good player. Hopefully it sticks inside a lot of people’s minds.”

Irving, who lined up with Manning last year, claimed they shared a special relationship.

“He’s like my little brother,” Irving said. “We have a friendship that will last for a pretty long time. Off the field, being around him, I know he is a real hard worker. He’s a good person. Even away from sports he is a good person to be around. He likes to have fun. He thinks a lot about other people.”

Irving, however, was unhappy people were comparing Manning to him and not giving him a chance to create his own identity.

“He is his own person you know,” Manning said. “Me and him didn’t like when they called him little Nate or anything when I was there and I still don’t like it because he has different qualities. He’s out there working hard to build up his own reputation. I think to do that is totally wrong.”

Irving, despite his busy schedule in the NFL, has kept in touch with the progress Manning has made.

“A couple of weeks ago against Clemson I tuned in and it was a big game,” Irving said. “[Manning] was doing anything and everything in his power to make sure that in a big game like that, his team could come out with a victory.”

Senior linebacker Sterling Lucas, who missed the whole season due to injuries, said he was impressed with Manning’s leadership qualities.

“He is a type of a guy, no matter if he has the title of being a captain or not, he is still going to be a leader,” Lucas said. “It’s just the type of person he is. On the field, he is always upbeat. He is always encouraging the guys. If somebody is down, he lifts them up. He is always the one that cracks the joke and kind of eases out the tension. He is definitely a leader.”

Manning, who was named to the All-ACC second team this week despite being sidelined due to injuries for two games, said he would like to be remembered as more than just another football player.

“Obviously a great football player, but an even better person,” Manning said. “I guess anybody who gets to know me will know that I am a great guy and I try to be very blunt about every situation as much as I can be. I want to be known as a great guy, not just a great football player.”