Patriots UDFA defender has one trait coaches could find impossible to ignore

Following a productive collegiate career at the University of Hawaiʻi, safety Peter Manuma signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in May, earning a contract after a successful tryout during the franchise's rookie minicamp.

Now, the former Rainbow Warriors captain and team defensive MVP is hoping to carve out a role for himself at the professional level.

"My mindset coming into training camp is just doing what I do best and just play football, not try to make it bigger than it is," Manuma told Musket Fire.

"I’ve been playing football for basically my whole life, so just going about that and not really changing anything, just knowing that this is bigger than most opportunities. I hope to show the coaching staff that I belong, that I can play football at this level, and that I can really help the team in any aspect that they need me to."

Over the course of Manuma's 49 career games at Hawaiʻi, he recorded 280 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 15 passes defensed. The four-time All-Mountain West honorable mention ran a 4.47 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process.

Peter Manuma getting early opportunities on special teams

When the Patriots traded away backup linebacker Marte Mapu earlier in the offseason, the move created a vacancy at the personal punt protector spot.

New England special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer has been trying out several players in this role, including Manuma, who the coach has noted has done a "good job" in the reps he's been given.

"Very in control of his body. His body movements really good," Springer said of Manuma. "And I like how vocal he is. Very vocal, very confident when he talks. And I think that’s a sign of confidence. I do like that from that position."

Being a vocal leader on the field is a trait Manuma highlighted as being among his top strengths as a football player, which could help him in the competition to be next season's personal punt protector, a role Springer described the ideal candidate for as being "like the quarterback."

"I believe my biggest strengths as a player are communication and football IQ," said Manuma. "I’ve played several positions in the past, in high school, so understanding what offenses are trying to do and, schematically, what our defense is trying to do.

So, just those and communicating are big factors of mine, just making sure everybody is on the same page."

Manuma already learning from Patriots veterans

As Manuma works to try to earn himself a roster spot this offseason, he's also making an effort to learn from New England's veterans. The rookie explained how he has sought out advice from Patriots free agent acquisition Kevin Byard III, a three-time Pro Bowl safety who has been sharing advice with the young player in his position group.1

"With the team signing [Byard] this offseason, already I’ve been learning from him and taking little nuggets from him that he throws out in meetings and what not," said Manuma.

"I’m just trying to ask him questions all throughout practices and meetings, just knowing that he’s a seasoned vet and just taking advantage of that."

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