Giovanni Manu Bio
Werner “Giovanni” Manu (born January 26, 2001) is a Tongan-Canadian professional American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played Canadian university football in U Sports for the UBC Thunderbirds before becoming the first player from the University of British Columbia ever selected in the NFL draft. Manu was taken by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, beginning his professional career in his early twenties.
Early Life and Background
Manu was born on January 26, 2001, in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. He moved to British Columbia, Canada, at the age of 11 to live with an aunt, settling in the Vancouver area and adjusting to a new country as a young teenager. The change introduced him to a different sporting culture, and he soon found his way onto the football field for the first time.
He attended Pitt Meadows Secondary School, where he tried out for the football team shortly after arriving in Canada. He also played basketball during his high school years, helping him develop the athleticism and coordination that would later serve his football career. His time at Pitt Meadows marked his first organized experience with the sport and set the stage for his move into college football.
Path to American Football
Manu enrolled at the University of British Columbia in 2018 and joined the UBC Thunderbirds football program in U Sports, the governing body for Canadian university athletics. He redshirted his first year with the team, using the season to learn the offense and add size to his frame. By 2019, he had earned a starting role on the offensive line as a sophomore, gaining valuable experience despite the team’s 2–6 record that season.
The 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Manu returned in 2021 and started all seven games at left tackle. In 2022, he started games at both left tackle and left guard and was selected as a second-team All-Canadian, one of the highest individual honors in U Sports football. Along with fellow Thunderbirds offensive lineman Theo Benedet, Manu was ranked among the top prospects for the 2023 CFL draft, but the pair chose to return to UBC for a final season.
Manu repeated as a second-team All-Canadian choice in 2023 and helped UBC make their first appearance in the Vanier Cup since 2015, the national championship of Canadian university football. His performance drew attention from NFL scouts as well, and he entered 2024 as a top prospect in both the CFL draft and the NFL draft.
Giovanni Manu Career
Early Career (2018–2023)
Manu’s early football career took place entirely within the U Sports system at the University of British Columbia. After redshirting in 2018, he steadily climbed the depth chart, winning a starting job in 2019 and holding it through the cancelled 2020 season. His development at left tackle and left guard turned him into one of the most respected offensive linemen in Canadian university football.
His two second-team All-Canadian selections in 2022 and 2023 confirmed his status as a top-tier U Sports prospect. The 2023 Vanier Cup appearance provided a national stage for Manu to demonstrate his skills, and the success of that season ultimately convinced him to declare for professional football.
NFL Breakthrough (2024–Present)
Manu entered the 2024 NFL draft as a rare U Sports prospect, receiving praise for his size and skill from scouts. The Detroit Lions selected him in the fourth round with the 126th overall pick, making him the first UBC player ever taken in the NFL draft. He was also selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the fifth round, 46th overall, of the 2024 CFL draft.
He signed with the Lions and joined their offensive tackle room, beginning his professional career with one of the most competitive franchises in the NFC North. The move from Canadian university football to the NFL represented a significant step up in competition, and Manu spent his rookie season adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Manu plays offensive tackle at 6 feet 7 inches tall and 159 kilograms, giving him the long frame and mass that NFL teams look for on the edge. His U Sports background exposed him to both left tackle and left guard responsibilities, showcasing his positional flexibility. He is regarded for his physicality in the run game and his developing technique in pass protection.
Notable Events and Milestones
Manu’s most significant milestone came when the Detroit Lions selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, making him the first player in UBC history to be drafted into the NFL. His two consecutive second-team All-Canadian honors in 2022 and 2023, along with UBC’s 2023 Vanier Cup appearance, also stand out as defining achievements of his rise through Canadian football.
Giovanni Manu Career Wins
Manu’s on-field resume is still in its early stages, with most of his recognition coming from individual honors rather than championship victories. His career is defined by consistent starting roles, All-Canadian selections, and a historic draft placement rather than trophy collections.
U Sports Highlights
During his time with the UBC Thunderbirds, Manu earned second-team All-Canadian honors in both 2022 and 2023, recognizing him as one of the top offensive linemen in Canadian university football. He helped the Thunderbirds reach the 2023 Vanier Cup, the program’s first appearance in the national championship game since 2015. His work at left tackle and left guard gave UBC a reliable presence on the offensive line through multiple seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Manu has not yet recorded any major professional or championship victories at the NFL level. His professional career with the Detroit Lions began in 2024, and his individual achievements remain tied to his All-Canadian selections and his status as a historic draft pick for UBC.
Giovanni Manu Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Manu’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in part by an aunt in British Columbia after moving from Tonga at the age of 11, and his family in the Pacific Islands played a role in his upbringing before his relocation to Canada.
Personal Life
Manu resides in British Columbia, Canada, the province where he attended high school and played his university football. He has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children, and his personal life remains largely outside the spotlight as he focuses on his professional career with the Detroit Lions.
2025 Season Performance
Manu enters the 2025 season in his second year with the Detroit Lions, working to establish a longer-term role within the team’s offensive line. The Lions, coming off a strong NFC North campaign, will look to continue developing their young tackle prospect behind a veteran core of linemen. Manu’s offseason training will likely focus on refining his pass-protection sets and adjusting to the speed of NFL edge rushers.
Early in the 2025 season, Manu is expected to compete for rotational snaps and contribute on special teams while continuing to learn the playbook. His versatility from his U Sports days, where he played both tackle and guard, gives the Lions flexibility in how they use him along the offensive front. Coaches have pointed to his physical tools and work ethic as reasons for optimism about his long-term projection.
With a full NFL offseason now under his belt, Manu’s outlook for 2025 centers on consistency, durability, and incremental improvement. If he continues on his current developmental path, he could push for a more prominent role in Detroit’s offensive line rotation by the end of the year.