A name you will hear often; Tigard's
JR. two way threat Manu Rasmussen
June 28, 2012 by Jordan Johnson
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As we look at our top juniors in the State of Oregon, Manu Rasmussen (6-0 165 Jr. ATH/DB) of Tigard HS, is one of the premier lock down defenders in the entire northwest. He will be part of a very talented Tigard team that has one of the top perimeters in the state, and a trio of senior backs lead by Zach Floyd (5-10 170 Sr. RB/CB) that will be very tough to stop.
Rasmussen is just growing into his body, and he isn't anywhere close to being done. He plays like a kid that's 190 with some attitude, and he's more then happy to come up and smack you. As a freshman Manu went for 30 Tds's offensively (freshman ball) dominating almost every opponent. Last year Rasmussen scored 7 Tds splitting time with a talented group they called the three headed monster (Floyd, Benny Wick (5-9 190 RB/LB Sr), Kaz Green (5-6 150 Slot Sr.)
Manu will most likely be the leading candidate for Pacific Conference Player of the Year honors in 2013, but this season you can expect him to be one of the top defenders in the state and help the Tigers compete for another Conference title. Rasmussen is considered one of the top two way threats in the NW, but his touches on offense could be limited due to the overwhelming talent pool.
Regardless he is dangerous anytime you get the ball in his hands, and they should get him the rock often especially if they key specifically on the run game. Manu's a kid that you want in the open field. You don't realize how strong he is until you see him one on one, and he bounces off people at will.
He recently returned from the All Poly camp in Utah and says, "it was one of the best camp's I have ever been to, and there was some very good competition there". He continued, " I worked out with the DB's and I really benefited from seeing some of the top talent from across the country".
As for his high school team and where he see's himself contributing this season Manu says, " im going to play spilt out offensively and should get some carries as well from the running back spot... I really want to focus on being that lock down defender from either the corner spot or at safety". Rasmussen's brother Keone, was a standout at Tigard a few years back and has been instrumental in helping his brother, " we go out and work on things and he is able to give me tips that are really helpful, recently we have been working on improving my hips and things like that".
Tigard will be the favorite to win the conference title battling the always tough Tualatin Timberwolves, and two other prominent programs in Century and Mcminnville. Manu Rasmussen will be the X factor and probably the best player on the entire Tigard roster. Most insiders know how good the kid is, but not to the extent that they will when he is done with the 2012 season.
I see Manu as a realistic defensive player of the year candidate this season, and someone that will have his choice of schools to choose from when his HS career is over.
