After a breakout sophomore campaign, Manuel has jumped out to a strong start to the 2026 season showing improved efficiency, production, and decision making. In four games, he’s thrown for 1,393 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 69% and only throwing one interception on 118 attempts. 6’2” 185 lbs. he’s got a great physical profile for the position as a dual threat QB. He’s under control and composed in the pocket, standing tall and staying patient as he works through his progression. Shows smooth arm action giving him a clean and repeatable delivery. Highly efficient and accurate to all areas of the field consistently putting the ball in a catchable spot for his receiver. A threat with his legs on both designed runs and scramble plays, showing the ability to escape pressure and make defenders miss in the open field with quick lateral cuts. A true dual-threat with the tools to beat defenses both from the pocket and the move. Would expect to see a bump in recruitment this year.

Manuel completed 73 percent of his passes for 344 yards with five touchdowns and ran for 113 yards with three touchdowns in Hoover’s 61-13 win over San Ysidro.

Manuel threw for 296 yards with two touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns in Hoover’s 34-29 win over Vincent Memorial.

Manuel completed 78 percent of his passes for 472 yards with six touchdowns in Hoover’s win over Southwest San Diego. He also ran for 64 yards with two touchdowns.

Manuel threw for 3033 yards with 26 touchdowns and ran for 1040 yards with 13 touchdowns for Hoover last season.

His biggest strength is his ability to improvise and scramble to buy time for his receivers to get open down the field. Manuel has the arm strength to put the ball into tight windows and throw a good ball downfield while on the run. He has a nice jump cut as a runner and has some wiggle.

Manuel moved up from the watchlist to the official rankings with his breakout sophomore season in the fall. The 6’2″/180 dual-threat out of Hoover passed for 3,000 yards and rushed for another 1,000 while racking up 39 total TDs in 2025. He’s a mobile passer that excels at evading the rush and creating off-script with his speed and natural arm talent. He’s a dangerous runner with the ball in his hands that can make defenders miss in space, possesses the velocity to rip into tight windows, and can vary his arm angles to get the ball out clean. Manuel is established as one of the top 2028 QBs in San Diego.

Manuel threw for 345 yards with five touchdowns and ran for 130 yards with two touchdowns in Hoover’s 52-49 win over Sweetwater.

Manuel is showing early on why he was a new addition to the PRZ CA 2028 watchlist in the offseason. Hoover’s sophomore QB has accounted for over 550 total yards and 8 total TDs (4 passing, 4 rushing) in the Cardinals’ first two games of 2025, including a 300-yard/5 TD performance against Vincent Memorial this past week. He’s a high-upside dual threat that possesses great tools as a passer to continue building on. He has a strong, accurate arm that can thread passes into tight windows, manages the pocket well, and is a dangerous runner in the open field with the speed and elusiveness he brings to the table. Manuel is quickly putting his name on the radar as one of San Diego’s best 2028 QBs.