AUBURN, Ala. – Known for his dancing, Tashawn Manning quickly earned the nickname "Tae Boogie" after arriving on the Plains in January 2017. However, the beginning of his journey at Auburn was far from choreographed.
As a three-star defensive lineman from Wekiva High in Apopka, Florida, Manning committed to Auburn during the summer before his senior season in 2015, when he was named an ESPN top 75 defensive tackle, Florida Class 8A first team all-state, and even threw the shot put and discus.
"I was kind of an underdog in high school," Manning recalled. "When I got an offer from Auburn, I said that this was the top. I knew that if I wanted to get to that next level, this is the step that would get me there.
"I came to Auburn and everyone took me in with open arms. Everyone was so welcoming; it just felt like home."
This is when Manning's life took a turn for the worse. After experiencing shortness of breath and unusual weakness, a routine trip to the doctor turned into a year-long battle for survival.
On Thanksgiving Day in 2015, Manning was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Chemo started shortly after and lasted for eight months. Uncertainty and fear about his future kept him up at night.
"I started taking community college courses while I was taking chemo and I wasn't that excited about where I was," he said. "I was frustrated and disappointed."
Throughout his experience, Auburn's promise to honor Manning's scholarship was a light at the end of the tunnel. Manning was declared cancer-free on July 10, 2016, and arrived at Auburn the following January. He then shifted his focus full-time to the orange and blue.
"Once I fully immersed myself in the college lifestyle at Auburn, it was just eye-opening," he said. "So many opportunities opened up in front of me. I got to experience friends and having fun while still working at the same time."
Earning a spot on the SEC academic honor roll, Manning thrived in his new environment.
"The one thing I'll look back on through the ups and downs is always trying to keep a positive outlook on life," he said. "Whatever I did on and off the field, I just tried to enjoy the experience while I was in the moment because you don't get these moments back. From play to play, day to day, I just tried to take everything in and just tried to make the most of it every day."
As his strength progressed on the field, Manning made another tough decision: switching from defense to offense. Manning moved from defensive tackle to offensive guard to gain more playing time and help his team gain strength offensively.
"At the time, the coaches wanted me to help out on offense," he said. "Whatever I could have done to make the team better or help out -- that was what was on my mind. It was hard at first but eventually you pick up on everything that you need to know. It was natural."
Gaining confidence in his new position, Manning saw his first career action vs. Alabama State in 2018. From there, he progressively became a productive stalwart for the Tigers.
When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to take away everything that Manning had worked so hard to gain, he did not falter. Instead, he stayed grounded and kept his focus on the safety of his team.
"Last season was a stepping stone for me because I was fighting for a starting job," he said. "I didn't want it to stop anything I had going on, so I tried my best to stay isolated and wear my mask. I tried to go with the flow and do what I needed to do to be on the field."
Turning toward his final season at Auburn, Manning is excited for what the future holds. When asked about what advice he would give to players hoping for a chance to play at the next level, Manning reflected on his own journey, which has been bolstered by the support of his mom, dad, girlfriend and his advisors Jerry Caplan and Kelly Roach.
"Take it seriously from the jump," he said. "Come in and act like you're at the bottom. Put your head down and work, and you will only go up from there. You have so much to learn when you get to college, so be ready to take it all in and work hard.
"This team has gone through a lot of adversity and change with the pandemic and then the new coaching staff. Everyone right now is on the same page and wants to get to the top."Student-athlete: Tashawn Manning graduated in interdisciplinary studies in December before pursuing a master's degree in adult education
Graduating last December with an interdisciplinary studies degree emphasizing business, leadership and sports coaching, Manning is now working toward a master's degree in adult education.
"I definitely want to get to that next level and be great," he said. "The resources that Auburn provides us, such as academic tutoring, will absolutely help me succeed later in life. Someday, I want to come back and invest back into Auburn."
This fall, Manning hopes to finish his last season as an Auburn Tiger leaving behind a legacy of positivity and perseverance through the toughest circumstances.
"They call me 'Tae Boogie' because I like to dance," he said. "You'll probably see me dancing at practice in between reps or on the sidelines after we score a touchdown. I can dance to just about anything. I just have to see it once and then I know."
One group especially gives Manning a spring in his step and puts a smile on his face. Some of Manning's best memories of his time at Auburn come from the support of the Auburn Family.
"I will miss the fans the most at Auburn. We have some terrific people," he said. "They are ride or die. They are with you at your lows and your crazy highs. It is just phenomenal how the fans come out and support us. And we players truly appreciate it."
Madison Larson is a student worker in Auburn Athletics media relations
