Tashawn Manning beat cancer and now he is ready to get UK to the SEC title game

Auburn transfer Tashawn Manning said he made “it out of the dark side” and beat cancer. (UK Athletics Photo)

One of the most important new pieces on the Kentucky football team this season is offensive lineman Tashawn Manning, an Auburn transfer. He’s expected to take over at guard allowing Eli Cox to move to center and solidify the Big Blue Wall for new offensive line coach Zach Yenser.

“Tashawn has been very impressive in everything we have done and I think he will be phenomenal for us,” said Yenser.

Manning’s journey to becoming a Southeastern Conference starter is phenomenal. He was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia on Thanksgiving morning in 2015 and began chemotherapy treatment the next day. After undergoing chemotherapy treatments for eight months, he was declared cancer free.

The Florida native went to Auburn as a defensive tackle but moved to the offensive line during his redshirt freshman season. He played in one game in 2018 and four in 2019 before starting all 11 games in the 2020 COVID-season. Last year he played in all 12 games at Auburn with three starts  and was graded as the team’s best run blocker by Pro Football focus.

The 6-4, 330-pound Manning says he thinks about beating cancer all the time.

“Thinking about being in the hospital, watching football games and wanting to be on the field brings tears to me every time. Once I was able to get back out there and do my thing it made my heart grow,” Manning said.

Much like current UK offensive line teammate Kenneth Horsey who had heart surgery his final year of high school, Manning does not feel sorry for himself.

“It is all adversity. Once you get through it there is nothing but ups because I made it out of that dark side and there was only one way to go,” Manning said.

He’s convinced Kentucky is ready to do special things this season. He watched Kentucky beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl last season for its 10th win.

“I saw it with my own eyes at the bowl. These guys came in and got work done. They came out with their own desire to get better. That was amazing,” Manning said. “I was ready to suit up with them then to be honest. I was ready to go.”

“The players here are amazing and that attitude is going to get us to Atlanta (for the SEC championship game).”