The next generation of quarterbacks from the Manning family is soon to enter the collegiate playing field, as Arch Manning announced on Thursday his intention to play football for the University of Texas.
Arch is the nephew of the legendary quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, who each won two Super Bowls during their illustrious careers in the NFL.
Arch’s grandfather, Archie, was a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the New Orleans Saints, and his father, Cooper Manning, was a highly rated wide receiver recruit out of high school before attending Ole Miss University. Cooper’s football career was cut short in college due to spinal stenosis.
Arch revealed his plans to come to Austin with a tweet, the first-ever to come from his verified Twitter account. He chose the Longhorns over several suitors, including Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Clemson, and Virginia.
Manning is a three-year starter at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans. He is the top-ranked overall recruit in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports. Through his first three high school seasons, the 6-foot-4 Manning has passed for 6,307 yards and 81 touchdowns, in addition to 742 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Manning will forge his path outside his family’s legacy. His grandfather, father, and uncle Eli all attended Ole Miss, while Peyton attended Tennessee. Both Ole Miss and Tennessee offered Arch a scholarship, but they were reportedly never seriously considered threats to land his commitment.
However, Manning’s commitment to Texas does keep his family’s ties to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alive. The Longhorns are slated to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC by 2025, when Manning could be the starting quarterback.
The commitment from Manning is a massive win for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who is coming off a 5-7 record in his first year in charge of the Longhorns.
Sarkisian retweeted his new quarterback recruit, then followed up with a post exclaiming, “All Gas, No Brakes!!!”
Isidore Newman’s head coach, Nelson Stewart, told 247Sports that Manning and Sarkisian formed a “real connection” during the quarterback’s recruitment. The Manning family also formed a strong relationship with Texas quarterback coach A.J. Milwee.
“From the beginning of their recruitment, from the first Zoom [Arch] had with Sark, it was a real connection between the two,” Stewart said. “I think the authenticity, getting to know him and the extension of [quarterbacks coach] A.J. Milwee and the importance of the quarterback coach being able to echo the sentiments of the head coach, they’re a great team.”
Manning’s commitment to UT comes after his high school teammate and close friend Will Randle, a three-star tight end, committed to Texas earlier this week. Reports indicated that Randle’s commitment to the Longhorns foreshadowed Arch’s.
“He made this decision on his own. This was his decision to make,” Stewart told ESPN. “I’m just happy he’s where he needs to be. He’s an 18-year-old kid. There was a lot on his shoulders. Took his time and showed a lot of maturity.
“When it comes to that family, the choice was his,” Stewart said, adding that the Manning family wanted Arch to have an “old-school, 1970s type recruitment.”
“It unfolded naturally. I’m just so proud of him,” Stewart said. “Hope he can rest and enjoy his senior year with his friends and take that next step. There’s a huge ceiling in front of him.”