Football: Manuel named to Parade All-America team

So much for an uneventful offseason.

E.J. Manuel was named to Parade magazine’s All-America High School Football Team, continuing a busy two months since his senior season at Bayside High School ended.

Last month, Manuel spent a week in Florida to play in the Under Armour All-American Bowl. His list of awards includes being named first-team All-Tidewater and second-team Group AAA all-state. He also was a finalist for the Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year award nationally.

“It’s all been fun and I’ve had a blast,” Manuel said. “And now getting all these great awards – All-Tidewater, Parade All-American – all that stuff is awesome. I’m very happy and proud and feel blessed.”

Fifty-eight players and seven quarterbacks made the Parade team, which is selected by coaches, journalists, scouts and recruiters. Among the other quarterbacks: Westfield High’s Mike Glennon, who led the Bulldogs to the Group AAA Division 6 state title, and Parade Player of the Year Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette, Pa.

Manuel, expected to sign with Florida State on national signing day Feb. 6, and Glennon are the only Virginians on the team, which will be announced in Sunday’s edition of Parade.

“Guys like Percy Harvin, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Vince Young – they’ve all been Parade All-Americans,” Manuel said. “Just to be a part of that group is fantastic.”

Manuel finished his high school career second on South Hampton Roads’ all-time passing list with 5,742 regular-season yards. He threw for 1,896 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 games as a senior.