One of those running backs that McCartney will be splitting carries with is junior Devon Mannon Devon Mannon 5'10" | LB Gore | 2027 OK this fall. At this time last year, we were talking about Mannon for what he was able to do on the defensive side of the ball. But 2024 saw Mannon become a breakout player on offense. He finished the season with 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. But Mannon is going to be one of the best two-way players in Class A-2 this season. He also finished with over 100 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. That came after he had nearly 100 tackles during his freshman year in 2023. 

Earlier in the preview when we mentioned that “fresh batch” of new players, we were talking about Gore’s 2027 class. As freshmen, multiple players got in the game and were instant impact players for the Pirates on both sides of the ball. For sophomore linebacker Devon Mannon Devon Mannon 5'10" | LB Gore | 2027 OK , his greatest impact came on defense. He would finish the season as one of the team’s leaders in tackles with nearly 90 on the season. He would also finish with ten sacks as he was an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. And Mannon did all of this as a freshman in 2023. The future for him is so bright on defense but don’t overlook him also turning around and playing running back.