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Get to know Detroit Lions' fourth-round picks: OT Giovanni Manu and RB Sione Vaki
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- Get to know Detroit Lions' fourth-round picks: OT Giovanni Manu and RB Sione Vaki
The Detroit Lions traded up to grab two players in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
General manager Brad Holmes traded up twice within six picks of each other to grad offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and running back Sione Vaki with the 126th and 132nd overall picks in the fourth round of the draft hosted in downtown Detroit. The Lions gave up their fifth and sixth-round picks, a 2025 third-rounder and fourth-rounder to secure the picks in separate deals with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles while also scooping up a seventh-rounder.
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Manu and Vaki join a draft class that features first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold out of Alabama , who the Lions acquired with a trade up, and second-round cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out of Missouri . The Lions were originally scheduled to wait until the fifth round for their first Day 3 selection, but Holmes went up to grab two of his guys in the fourth.
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Here are some fast facts to know about Manu and Vaki, the newest members of the Lions.
Manu highlights and combine results
Manu doesn't have many highlights available due to playing college football in Canada. He was not invited to the combine. Here is a quick highlight reel put together looking at his strengths in the pre-draft process.
Manu did participate in a pro day for Canadian football players where he showed that he is incredibly athletic to pair with his massive frame, according to a story from the Lions .
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Height: 6 feet 7.
Weight: 352 pounds.
40-yard dash: 5.06 seconds.
Three-cone drill: 8.29 seconds.
Short shuttle: 4.29 seconds.
Bench press: 23 reps at 225 pounds.
Vertical jump:33.5 inches.
Broad jump: 8 feet, 6 inches.
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Background and college stats
Manu first played basketball before starting football in secondary school. He was a two-sport star in high school before enrolling at the University of British Columbia to play left tackle. He was a four-year starter in college, playing both at left tackle and also left guard, and was a second-team All-Canadian selection at offensive line in 2022 and 2023. He started 39 total games in college, 33 at left tackle and six at left guard, according to the Athletic.
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Manu is a 23-year-old who first enrolled in college in 2018. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2018 before starting eight games in 2019. The 2020 Canadian college football league season was cancelled due to COVID-19 and he started every game from 2021-2023. He became the first University of British Columbia player to be selected in NFL draft history.
International roots and basketball background
Manu was born in Tonga and was raised there before moving to Canada at the age of 11. He played basketball before starting football, but a growth spurt gave him a prototypical left tackle frame. In high school, he could frequently put up 30 points as a bully in the paint.
Vaki highlights and combine results
Vaki was one of the most dynamic players in college football last year for Utah, playing both at safety and running back. He was a first-team All-Pac 12 player and second-team All-American for his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball. Vaki told media in Detroit he will play running back and special teams at the next level while having the background of a multi-year starter at safety.
Vaki has a personal YouTube page where he posts videos of his steps in the pre-draft process, including highlights of both his combine and pro day.
Height: 5 feet 11.
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Weight:210 pounds.
Arm length: 29⅛ inch arms
40-yard dash: 4.62 seconds.
Bench press: 20 reps at 225 pounds.
Vertical jump: 39.5 inches.
Broad jump: 10 feet, 5 inches.
Versatile college career
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Vaki originally signed with Utah as a part of the 2019 recruiting class but did not make his collegiate debut until 2022 after going on a two-year church mission out of high school.
He appeared in all 14 games in 2022, including five starts, on defense and special teams, recording 41 tackles and one forced fumble, including eight tackles in the Rose Bowl against Penn State . In 2023, he started every game at safety for the Utes while also playing running back and wildcat quarterback. He had 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception on defense, while posting 317 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 42 carries with 11 catches for 203 yards and three receiving touchdowns on offense.
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Background
Playing on offense wasn't a new thing for Vaki. He played running back and slot receiver while growing up in Brentwood, California. In October, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Vaki was still a defensive player, but was trending towards more and more offense after putting up back-to-back games over 150 all-purpose yards at running back.
Vaki is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, which is why he took a two-year mission trip coming out of high school. He said Utah was understanding of the mission and supported his commitment to religion, which was important to his late mother, Oto-ota.
"I was planning on going on a mission at the time and that was a big push for the coaches," Vaki told KSL-TV, a news station in Salt Lake City, in October. "They weren't really pushing football. Of course, we talked about football, but a big push was the Church and the Gospel which is dear to me with the passing of my mother. That hit home for me, and Utah was a no-brainer."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions fourth round picks: Get to know Giovanni Manu, Sione Vaki
