Key Takeaways:
– The St. Louis Battlehawks played without A.J. McCarron, UFL MVP contender, and leaned on their backup, Manny Wilkins.
– Wilkins, a former Green Bay Packer, led the Battlehawks to a much-needed victory, clinching a playoff spot.
– Wilkins threw for 126 yards and rushed for another 82 in his first professional football start since college.
– Wilkins signed with the Battlehawks in 2023 and again prior to the current season, after a stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2019.
Manny Wilkins is Back in the Spotlight
In what seemed an age since his last starting game, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Manny Wilkins seized his chance this weekend. Stepping up for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the absence of UFL MVP contender A.J. McCarron, Wilkins made the most of his opportunity. In Week 8 against the DC Defenders, Wilkins showcased his skills, leading the Battlehawks to a significant 26-21 victory and clinching their playoff berth.
This was Wilkins’ first start since his college days, which was a noteworthy performance in his professional football debut. Rallying down the pitch, he threw for 126 yards while declaring his presence with another 82-yard rush. With Wilkins holding the reins, it was a game the Battlehawks were not about to lose.
Highlighting Manny Wilkins’ Journey
Wilkins wasn’t always a name known by all, but proved his worth on the field. A 4-star recruit and one of the elite dual-threat QBs in 2014, his career saw him gain interest from various teams, including Arizona, Utah State, and Wyoming. However, Wilkins chose to lend his talents to the Arizona State Sun Devils instead.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, Wilkins catapulted to the forefront as the team’s starter. As Sun Devils’ quarterback, the team didn’t achieve massive success, but Wilkins made personal records. Within his tenure of three years and 36 games, he threw for 8,624 yards and 52 touchdowns, with only 23 interceptions. His prowess was further showcased on the ground where he rushed for 980 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.
Despite these impressive numbers, NFL teams took little interest in Wilkins after he graduated. He went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft but found a home with the Green Bay Packers, who quickly saw his potential and added him to their practice squad.
Green Bay Packers and Their Backup Quarterbacks
Over the years, the Packers have seen their fair share of notable backup quarterbacks. During the Brett Favre era, shining names such as Matt Hasselbeck and Kurt Warner were backups. More recently, in Aaron Rodgers’ era, Matt Flynn delivered a memorable performance against the Detroit Lions in 2012, which subsequently earned him a hefty contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Today, as history repeats itself, the Packers are cultivating new backups after Wilkins, under the leadership of Jordan Love. Sean Clifford and rookie, Michael Pratt are in the running for the QB2 spot, creating intrigue for the Packers’ preseason.
In Conclusion
Wilkins had to bide his time, but finally, his moment in the spotlight arrived. He navigated the circuitous path from the Green Bay Packers to St. Louis Battlehawks, where he stepped up, leading his team to a playoff berth. His performance reminds us all that in professional sports, perseverance can pay off in spades.