
Mannie Wellington brings old-school linebacker toughness to FIU
Mannie Wellington is a short, compact, aggressive linebacker who was known as a decorated prep tackler and 4.59-speed athlete coming out of Nease, with FIU noting he was in line to compete for the middle linebacker job and handle the run game with physicality. His calling card is instinctive, downhill play, but the available public info is dated and does not show current 2026 production, so the best read is that he profiles as a tone-setter rather than a flashy stat-padding defender. If your team wants a tough, willing tackler with scrappy edge, he fits the bill.