RIVIERA BEACH – Inlet Grove has got a real one in its varsity high school football program.
The Hurricanes have a dependable and reliable athlete in Gary Mann, who is currently listed at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds.
This past season, the 2026 standout played primarily as a defensive back. His statistics in eight games played were:
•46 total tackles
•1 tackle for loss
•5 pass breakups
Mann’s best individual game was in Week 3 against Fort Pierce Westwood (12-7 home loss) with seven tackles and one pass breakup.
“The Westwood game was crazy,” Mann said. “It was definitely a defensive game on both sides of the ball.”
Mann reflected on his sophomore season with Inlet Grove.
“What I loved about my sophomore season at Inlet Grove is that I got an early feel of what varsity football is like,” Mann said. “Some people get to experience their freshman and sophomore years, but most people’s first year of varsity football is their junior year. I loved the fact that I was able to compete in every game we played in and that the score didn’t matter to me. I just played hard each play until the whistle blowed.”
Mann did not stop there.
“What could’ve gone differently was that I could have been a leader for our team, so our team would’ve have more discipline last year,” Mann continued. “Also I left a bunch of plays on the field that I could’ve made last year.”
At this time, Mann does not have any college scholarship offers. But he has received interest from the likes of Rutgers, Western Kentucky, UNC Charlotte, and UNC Pembroke.
So with that being said, Mann’s focus has been on improving his craft throughout the offseason months. This month of June and the next month of July are important ones for his growth and development in the weight room, on the field for workouts, and in other important areas of the game.
“I’ve been doing 2-3 workouts a day,” Mann said. “My first one I have to wake up at 4 and I work out from 5-7 in the morning. My second one is usually from 9-12 or from 5-8 in the evening. If I do three a day, my last one is from 5-8.”
Mann had more to say about his summer football itinerary.
“I’ve been going to college camps,” Mann said. “I recently came back from the UF camp they had. I also went to the Mark Hall Camp that was held at Keiser. I’ve been hitting the weight room a lot and been working on speed and agility training everyday. I’ve also been doing film study on the positions I play for game-time scenarios, so I can be familiar with it already.”
One thing that inspires Mann in a significant way is being from the Muck.
The South Bay-bred standout is the younger cousin of Glades Central alum Bryan Mann, who led the Belle Glade-based program to its sixth state title in 2006. He is also coached right now by Inlet Grove head coach Rashad Jackson, who is also a Glades Central alum and former high school teammate of Bryan Mann.
“It honestly feels great because when I make it big, I’m going to show recognition to my hometown and my high school,” Gary Mann said. “Playing for Rashad Jackson is a blessing. He’s a great coach who understands the game. And most importantly, he gets kids into schools.”
Gary Mann shared his goals for his upcoming junior season with Inlet Grove.
“I want to put my name on the map around the country and help Inlet make a deep playoff run,” Gary Mann said.
PHOTO CREDITS: Daniel McCullon / dlo_visuals (Instagram)
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