ST. LOUIS -- Last year, quarterback Sean Mannion got experience in an area no college senior wants: having to lead his team through a disappointing season.
The three-year captain -- who served as one of four on Oregon State's squad last year -- saw the Beavers go from back-to-back bowl game appearances to a 5-7 finish that included a four-game slide.
Despite the record, Mannion, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the NFL Draft this spring, was proud his team refused to quit.
"Obviously, we didn't achieve the goals that we had set for ourselves, but at the same time, I think I was really proud of the way our team kind of stuck together and was able to keep working," he says. "To me, the best example of that is our win against Arizona State -- when they were a top 10 team -- late in the season. We were coming off a couple tough losses against Cal and (Washington State). To beat a ranked team at home, that was just a testament to the way we were able to stay together and just kind of stay the course and keep working hard."
In terms of showing off for NFL scouts, Mannion was at somewhat of a disadvantage in that there wasn't tons of talent around him last season.
"As a sophomore, he had two (skill) guys in Marcus Wheaton and Brandon Cooks. As a junior, he had just Brandon Cooks. As a senior, he had a group of tight ends and a not-so-good offensive line," Snead says. "A couple of his really good offensive linemen had gotten injured and missed the season, so he was under duress."
Despite the 2014 tape, the Rams liked what they saw in Mannion. He was a 6-foot-5, pro-style quarterback with undeniable toughness, the kind of guy who'd get hit in the chin and come right back on the next play to throw for a first down -- "all the things you look for," Snead says.
About two weeks before the draft, the Rams had a private workout with Mannion, who felt afterward he had turned in a solid performance.
"I thought I threw the ball really well. I had the opportunity to meet with them and kind of go over some football stuff in the classroom," Mannion says. "I felt great about all of it. It was one of those things where at the Combine and then at my workout, I really felt like I put my best foot forward."
"When we went and did the private (workout), I think that's what solidified him for us," Snead says.
Mannion credits preparation for how he was able to rise to the occasion throughout the pre-draft process -- a skill that should serve him well as he transitions to the pro game.
"I think, more than anything at the Senior Bowl, I felt really prepared going into it," Mannion says. "I kind of knew certain things to expect. I had worked really hard on my footwork, which is something I wanted to show I'd cleaned up. Same going into the Combine and Pro Day. I think when you're fully prepared, there's nothing to be nervous about."
You can follow Elisabeth Meinecke on Twitter at @lismeinecke or email her at ecmeinecke@gmail.com.
