Gabe Manzanares Is Getting A Second Chance At The Spring League Showcase

Former UC Davis running back Gabe Manzanares is looking for a big performance at The Spring League Showcase in Napa, CA, on Saturday, July 15, in hopes of garnering an invitation to an NFL or CFL training camp.

Jul 12, 2017

Gabe Manzanares Is Getting A Second Chance At The Spring League Showcase

Gabe Manzanares never got the chance to play professional football despite a successful collegiate career. Now, the former UC Davis running back is looking for a big performance at The Spring League Showcase in Napa, CA, on Saturday, July 15, in hopes of garnering an invitation to an NFL or CFL training camp.

The Spring League is an instructional league, which serves as a developmental platform and showcase for professional football talent.

As a recruited walk-on transfer from City College of San Francisco, Manzanares won the starting job his first season for UC Davis. During his two seasons for the Aggies, he had a total of 2116 rushing yards, 656 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns. In his senior season in 2014, he finished third in the Big Sky Conference in rushing with 831 yards and five touchdowns while missing the first five games of the season due to injury. He also finished third for all-purpose yards in the Big Sky Conference. His season totals in all-purpose and rushing yards were not only among the best in his conference but also near the top of the FCS nationally -- right up there with future draft picks such as David Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals and Zach Zenner of the Detroit Lions.

Not getting a chance to prove himself in any professional training camps beyond the UC Davis and 49ers pro days, Manzanares is turning to Saturday's showcase at Memorial Stadium to earn an opportunity at the next level.

"I'm participating in The Spring League Showcase because I want to show scouts I can compete in the NFL and how much I've improved since college," Manzanares said.

As a versatile back who understands and has had success in both zone and gap run schemes, Manzanares has exceptional hands and is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. He is an intelligent player who can quickly understand and execute pass protection, and most importantly, he is a competitor.

The Spring Football League has had a handful of players from its first showcase in April sign with NFL teams, and Manzanares plans to be next.

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