Northwestern University Athletics
McManis Takes Advantage of Off Day to Visit ’Cats Camp
8/19/2019 6:05:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Former Northwestern standout Sherrick McManis took advantage of an off-day from Chicago Bears training camp. The NFL veteran, entering his 10th season in the league, stopped by Monday's practice at Hutcheson Field and reflected on his time in Evanston.
"It feels good [to be back]," McManis said. "It feels like home. It is home. It's where I started my college career and this is honestly where I feel like I became a man. I developed some great characteristics, made some great friends and had some great coaches. These are the people I was around almost more than my family throughout college. It was a great time for me."
McManis starred for the Wildcats at cornerback and special teams from 2006-2009. As a senior, McManis earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with five interceptions, 37 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 12 pass-breakups. He finished his collegiate career with 201 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 39 pass break-ups and nine interceptions.
Asked about his favorite memory in Evanston, McManis focused on two from his first season.
"One time we played Michigan," he said. "It was my first start I believe, and it was at the Big House. I did pretty well, had a pretty good game on defense and special teams, and always remember that because it was my first start. Ohio State was another game I remember well because I got my first pick from Troy Smith - who was pretty solid at that time - and Ted Ginn Jr. Those were some pretty good memories."
Smith was the Heisman Trophy winner that season.
Although the Northwestern program has evolved since McManis graduated in 2010, he noticed plenty of similarities in practice from his college days.
"Everybody is working hard," McManis said. "The one thing you can't really coach is the effort and I see everyone flying around here having fun and being real active.
"There are some things that are the same," he added. "The hard work, the hitting, the physicality, all that good stuff. The basics are the same. But as the game goes on, everyone has to adapt and I think we, Northwestern, are doing great at that."
One thing that is drastically different is the backdrop. The Chicago Skyline, Walter Athletics Center, Ryan Fieldhouse and Wilson Field all overlook Monday's practice at Hutcheson Field.
"This is great," McManis said of the new facilities, "I love it honestly. I know we didn't have this stuff but who cares, they have it now and that's what you work for. You work for a better tomorrow and I'm glad to see these kids, these coaches, the staff, everyone enjoying the success that they had and I'm happy to be a part of it."
Leadership has always been a strength for McManis, who served as a captain in his senior campaign at Northwestern. In 2016, he was named a team captain for the Bears and has since served in that role periodically.
"It's pretty similar to be honest," McManis said of the difference between the collegiate and professional captain roles. "I was just always myself. It was nothing that was made up or me trying to play a role. I've just always been myself, led by example, talked to individuals when I felt the need to and respected my teammates. I think they respected me for that."
That respect has certainly helped the former two-star recruit with one FBS offer and fifth-round draft pick become the longest tenured player on the Bears' roster. As he prepares for his 10th NFL season, McManis shared some advice for how he has found consistent success, first at Northwestern and now in the NFL.
"Don't worry about the things you can't control," McManis said. "Focus on you and getting better. It sounds pretty generic but it's really the truth. You can't control some things. Also, for the guys who are in good positions to make a roster, never get comfortable. That's one thing that I feel has helped me in my career. I never got complacent and never felt comfortable. I always had a chip on my shoulder and was ready to work."
"It feels good [to be back]," McManis said. "It feels like home. It is home. It's where I started my college career and this is honestly where I feel like I became a man. I developed some great characteristics, made some great friends and had some great coaches. These are the people I was around almost more than my family throughout college. It was a great time for me."
McManis starred for the Wildcats at cornerback and special teams from 2006-2009. As a senior, McManis earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with five interceptions, 37 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 12 pass-breakups. He finished his collegiate career with 201 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 39 pass break-ups and nine interceptions.
Asked about his favorite memory in Evanston, McManis focused on two from his first season.
"One time we played Michigan," he said. "It was my first start I believe, and it was at the Big House. I did pretty well, had a pretty good game on defense and special teams, and always remember that because it was my first start. Ohio State was another game I remember well because I got my first pick from Troy Smith - who was pretty solid at that time - and Ted Ginn Jr. Those were some pretty good memories."
Smith was the Heisman Trophy winner that season.
Although the Northwestern program has evolved since McManis graduated in 2010, he noticed plenty of similarities in practice from his college days.
"Everybody is working hard," McManis said. "The one thing you can't really coach is the effort and I see everyone flying around here having fun and being real active.
"There are some things that are the same," he added. "The hard work, the hitting, the physicality, all that good stuff. The basics are the same. But as the game goes on, everyone has to adapt and I think we, Northwestern, are doing great at that."
One thing that is drastically different is the backdrop. The Chicago Skyline, Walter Athletics Center, Ryan Fieldhouse and Wilson Field all overlook Monday's practice at Hutcheson Field.
"This is great," McManis said of the new facilities, "I love it honestly. I know we didn't have this stuff but who cares, they have it now and that's what you work for. You work for a better tomorrow and I'm glad to see these kids, these coaches, the staff, everyone enjoying the success that they had and I'm happy to be a part of it."
Leadership has always been a strength for McManis, who served as a captain in his senior campaign at Northwestern. In 2016, he was named a team captain for the Bears and has since served in that role periodically.
"It's pretty similar to be honest," McManis said of the difference between the collegiate and professional captain roles. "I was just always myself. It was nothing that was made up or me trying to play a role. I've just always been myself, led by example, talked to individuals when I felt the need to and respected my teammates. I think they respected me for that."
That respect has certainly helped the former two-star recruit with one FBS offer and fifth-round draft pick become the longest tenured player on the Bears' roster. As he prepares for his 10th NFL season, McManis shared some advice for how he has found consistent success, first at Northwestern and now in the NFL.
"Don't worry about the things you can't control," McManis said. "Focus on you and getting better. It sounds pretty generic but it's really the truth. You can't control some things. Also, for the guys who are in good positions to make a roster, never get comfortable. That's one thing that I feel has helped me in my career. I never got complacent and never felt comfortable. I always had a chip on my shoulder and was ready to work."
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