FSU Football: EJ Manuel’s 5 best games as a Nole

Former FSU football quarterback and first round draft pick EJ Manuel announced his retirement from football Monday.

Former FSU football quarterback EJ Manuel is a player that largely seems forgotten by most Nole fans despite being a top recruit and helping win some important games in his time.

It could be that most fans never felt he reached his potential or it could be that he only had one full season where he was able to start every game.

Nevertheless, Manuel was one of the most important players of the last decade. He helped lead FSU to a ton of wins and was 25-6 as a starter.

In fact, Bobby Bowden likely doesn’t make a bowl game and finishes with a losing record in his final season if not for Manuel stepping in as a true freshman for an injured Christian Ponder.

The Noles were 4-5 with three regular season games remaining. Manuel led them to two wins and a come from behind victory in the Gator Bowl against West Virginia to finish 7-6.

Manuel filled in for a injured Christian Ponder again in 2011, most notably in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and helped lead the Noles to a win over South Carolina.

Manuel went on to become the full time starter in 2012 and led the Noles to a 12-2 record, including winning FSU’s first BCS Bowl game since 2000.

He was able to parlay that success into becoming FSU’s second straight QB drafted in the first round. Manuel was drafted with the No. 16 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2013.

He never seemed to find his footing in the NFL and announced his retirement from football Monday.

Since he never seems to get much love I wanted to take a look at Manuel’s five best games in the garnet and gold. I’m taking into account stats, what was happening with the team and other factors so your list could differ a great deal from mine.