LANCASTER, Texas — With every reception and touchdown scored throughout his high school—all 79 and 20, respectively—Omar Manning maintained the same philosophy.

Family first.

"Everything I do," he said, "I do it for my family."

Ask Manning, a TCU signee from Lancaster High School about family, and it all starts with the person he considers the strongest person he knows—his mother, Tracey Manning.

A particular scene with his mother recently caught the attention of a few onlookers. There was Manning sitting with his mother holding a conversation just before his U.S. Army All-American jersey ceremony presentation in September.

"How was your day?" she asked.

"It was good," Manning responded.

"I just want you to know I'm proud of you, and I love you," she then said.

"I love you, too," he replied.

It was a mom showing love and support for an achieving son. Seems simple enough, right?

What made the conversation so intriguing to outsiders: While pleasantries and compliments were exchanged, not one verbal word was uttered. The two used sign language to hold an engaging conversation.

For the first time, many outsiders noticed that Tracey was deaf. Many also noticed that Omar, in addition to being a 6'3", 203-pound dynamo at wide receiver, was bilingual.

"It's natural for me. I've been doing [sign language] as long as I can remember," he said. "I picked up on little things here and there, but I don't even remember learning it. It just happened."

Chalk it up as another talent for the 4-star athlete TCU has high expectations for.

Family first

For Manning, family is everything. During his senior season, he played with a special back protector that featured the first names of several family members: Tracey, LaKisha (his sister), Tammy (his aunt) and Lucille (his grandmother).

From an inspirational perspective contributing to his success, it all starts with his mother, who he said has lived her entire life deaf.

"Whenever something tough comes up, I think about her," Manning said. "She motivates me and pushes me. I know if she can go through that, I can go through whatever."

To which she responded via an interpreter: "I'm very proud of him. Very proud and blessed."

His mother is a part of a large family fanbase that supported him at Lancaster High home football games. A huge piece to that family puzzle is his aunt, Tammy Manning-Brown, someone whom Manning said not only helped raise him and someone he considers a second mother.

Collectively, Manning's family watched him put on a show throughout his senior year. He caught 45 passes for 742 yards and eight touchdowns and helped Lancaster advance to the Texas Class 5A state quarterfinals, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"He is driven by a strong relationship with his family, especially his mom and aunt," Lancaster head coach Chris Gilbert said. "They made it clear to me several times during the recruiting process that they wanted the absolute best for Omar, and he should make all decisions on what is best for him. They are great folks. His family is at the top of his list."

Another person who has been extremely influential in Manning's growth is his older sister. LaKisha Potter is a year older and a sophomore nursing student at Remington College. Potter is someone Manning considers his sidekick, someone who knows him in and out, and also one of his biggest fans as he prepares for college football.

"We both grew up in really tough times, and she was right there with me the whole time," Manning said of his sister. "She's my sister and my friend the whole way through."

Potter added: "Every little brother is supposed to be annoying, but he was a good kid. He was always focused and determined. What you see is what you get. Football was always No. 1 for him. It was like he was born for this."

Do well, stay humble

TCU is getting a big, physical receiver with great speed and a never-ending desire to improve. He is a part of a talented 2017 class that also features 4-star quarterback Shawn Robinson, 4-star receiver Jalen Reagor and 4-star offensive lineman Wes Harris.

Manning is relentless when it comes to progress, but Gilbert added that as good as he is, he's one of the first athletes to help others shine.

"Omar is just an outstanding young man. He's very humble and unassuming," Gilbert said. "He is an unselfish team guy who's very appreciative of any accolades he has received. He's always ready to assist young players, and he is a leader. They don't come like him often."

Manning chose TCU over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU and other programs. He committed to the Horned Frogs on Oct. 21 and held his commitment, despite major pushes from Texas and Oklahoma, according to Gabe Brooks of Scout.com.

Officially Shutting down my recruitment.. Thanks to all the programs who offered me a wonderful opportunity to follow my dreams!

— O.Manning (@TheOmarManning) January 17, 2017

110% TCU 

— O.Manning (@TheOmarManning) January 17, 2017

The reason for sticking with TCU, Manning said, was the same thing he keeps high on his priority list.

"It was the family feel," he said. "Each school had a different thing about it, but they [TCU] all are about family."

And Tracey is well aware of the player TCU is getting.

"He's a very good football player," she said via an interpreter. "Very good and very humble."

Manning has the tools to be the next great wide receiver for the Horned Frogs. He's hoping to use his mother's advice as fuel in his quest to become a household name in the Big 12.

That advice: stay humble, have respect and keep God first.

And never forget to keep family a top priority.

"I want to make it to the NFL for my mom, and she wants me to be happy," he said. "I see what she's gone through, and that's what drives me. Nothing will stop me."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of Scout.com. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles