The New England Patriots have made a quiet but intriguing addition to their roster, signing undrafted safety Peter Manuma following a standout performance at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Manuma, a former Hawaii standout, first caught the Patriots' attention during the three-day tryout event at Gillette Stadium, where he was one of 17 hopefuls vying for a roster spot. The 6-foot, 200-pound defensive back impressed enough to earn a deal, as first reported by the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed on Monday.
This isn't Manuma's first taste of NFL action—he previously attended a rookie minicamp with the Seattle Seahawks on a tryout basis earlier this month. At his pro day, he showed off impressive athleticism, running the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds and completing the three-cone drill in 7.01 seconds. For a safety, those numbers signal solid speed and agility, traits that could translate well to special teams and coverage duties.
Manuma brings a wealth of college experience to Foxborough. A four-year starter at Hawaii, he appeared in 49 games dating back to 2022 and served as a team captain for two consecutive seasons. His accolades include four-time All-Mountain West honorable mention selections, and he was named the defense's MVP as a senior. Over his Rainbow Warriors career, Manuma racked up 280 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and five interceptions, along with 11 tackles for loss and 20 passes defensed.
He now joins an undrafted class of 13 players and will compete for a spot on a safety depth chart that includes veterans like Kevin Byard, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler, John Saunders Jr., and Mike Brown. With the Patriots carrying two open roster spots heading into the weekend—thanks in part to an International Player Pathway exemption for offensive tackle Lorenz Metz—Manuma has a genuine opportunity to carve out a role.
For Patriots fans, this signing adds another layer of intrigue to a defense that's already undergoing a transformation. Manuma's college pedigree and athletic testing suggest he could be a diamond in the rough, and his journey from Hawaii to New England is one worth watching as training camp approaches.