Mannion a Freshman All-American, Hardin a Shrine All-Star

Oregon St. red-shirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion and senior corner back Brandon Hardin have come in for some post season honors.

Mannion was one of 5 Pac-12 players to be named to the Football Writers of America Association's Freshman All-American team.

Mannion was joined by Oregon running back De'Anthony Thomas, Utah safety Eric Rowe, and a pair of USC players, wide receiver Marqise Lee and linebacker Dion Bailey.

Mannion threw for 3,332 yards, which already has him 8th all time in career passing yards for Oregon St., and 16 TDs for the Beavers, and completed 305 of 473 passes, 64.5%.

Hardin missed his senior season after suffering a shoulder injury during fall camp, but his size, 6'2", 216 lbs. and what he accomplished in his first three seasons for the Beavers, which included 15 starts, still have him rated as the 40th best corner available in this year's NFL draft, according to NFL Draft Countdown.

Which was good enough to earn Hardin a trip to the East-West Shrine Game, one of the postseason all-star games that showcase seniors for NFL scouts before the NFL Combine.

"It's a great opportunity, and a blessing to play at least one game in my senior year," Hardin said. "I just want to make Oregon State proud."

Hardin, from Honolulu, HI, has 4.5 speed, and recorded 73 unassisted tackles, and 32 assists in 3 years.

The Shrine game will be played Saturday, Jan. 21 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

(Photos by Andy Wooldridge)

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com