Former Panther Football Player Inks Deal with NFL’s Tennessee Titans

Manny Abad Becomes Second Player in Program History to Sign NFL Contract       

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Former Florida Tech football standout Manny Abad became just the second player in program history to sign with an NFL franchise when he signed a standard, three-year rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans on June 13.

The cornerback joins former teammate Gabe Hughes as the only Panthers to sign NFL contracts. Hughes etched his name with the Miami Dolphins back in 2016.

Abad earned his spot on the Titans’ 90-man roster after impressing the coaching staff at the team’s rookie minicamp. The Titans made several roster moves the past week to make space for the South Plantation High School product. He also participated in the Atlanta Falcons’ and Kansas City Chiefs’ rookie minicamps and was offered a rookie contract by the Falcons.

Abad ended his four years at Florida Tech with seven interceptions, 152 total tackles, including 104 solo tackles, and 31 pass breakups. He was a four-time All-Gulf South Conference selection, a 2015 USA College Football All-American, and a 2016 First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American, just the second male student-athlete in Florida Tech history and sixth student-athlete overall to receive that honor.

A native of Cuba, Abad graduated from Florida Tech this past fall with a degree in accounting and a 4.0 cumulative grade point average.

###