Manley released from NMSU scholarship

Former Leilehua High quarterback Andrew Manley requested — and received — a release from his football scholarship at New Mexico State.

Manley’s decision reportedly was based largely on an undisclosed family situation.

The Hawaii football team, which tried to recruit Manley in 2009, received notification of his release. While the Warriors have been granted permission to speak with Manley, neither side has initiated contact.

The Warriors might not know if they have a scholarship available until this summer. The NCAA limits FBS schools to 25 scholarships to newcomers each year. The Warriors have received inquiries from several players from BCS schools wishing to transfer.

Manley’s release was granted Tuesday. New Mexico State made the announcement on Wednesday.

"I just wanna thank NMSU for everything they have done for me," Manley wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday. "I have nothing but love for this school, coaches and players."

Manley was the state’s offensive player of the year as a Leilehua senior in 2009.

In the summer leading to his senior year, Manley was among four quarterbacks who were told a UH scholarship would go to the first one to accept. The scholarship eventually went to Kevin Spain, who no longer is with the Warriors.

Another candidate, Jeremy Higgins, signed with Utah State. Higgins played one season with the Aggies, then transferred to UH in the summer of 2011. Higgins and Sean Schroeder are bracketed as UH’s No. 2 quarterback behind Taylor Graham entering the offseason.

Back in 2009, the Warriors then made a gray-shirt offer to Manley, meaning he would delay joining the Warriors until January 2011. Instead, Manley signed with NMSU.

He played five games as a freshman in 2010, then started three in 2011 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He received a medical redshirt for that season. Manley started 12 games in 2012.