Erik Rodriguez "EJ" Manuel Jr. (born March 19, 1990) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Oakland Raiders.
Manuel was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He attended Bayside High School Virginia Beach, where he played for the Bayside Marlins high school football team. In 2004, as a freshman, he started at quarterback and threw for 589 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as rushing for 219 yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore, he recorded 1,332 passing yards and eight touchdowns as well as 276 rushing yards and six touchdowns. As a junior, Manuel threw for 1,973 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. In 2007, as a senior, Manuel passed for 1,859 yards, 18 touchdowns while rushing for 541 yards. He was considered a five-star recruit by Scout, a four star recruit by Rivals and both sites, as well as Sports Illustrated, listed him the second best quarterback. He was an All-American quarterback in high school.