Arch Manning is set to extend his family’s football story to a third generation after committing to Texas over other top college programs including Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Clemson.
Manning, like his grandfather Archie and uncles Eli and Peyton, is a quarterback and has been ranked as the top high-school prospect in the country. His family are aware of the pressure that comes with the Manning name and he has kept a low-profile on social media during his high school career. On Thursday, Manning made his first-ever tweet from his official account, writing: “Committed to the University of Texas.”
The 6ft 4in, 215lb 18-year-old has been a star at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, where his uncles and father, Cooper, also played. Arch has been considered a top prospect since he was in middle school and threw for 5,731 yards and 72 touchdowns in three years of high school football.
“He made this decision on his own. This was his decision to make,” Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school coach, 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.”
Manning’s choice of Texas may be a deliberate decision to take pressure off his shoulders. Cooper, Archie and Eli played their college football at Ole Miss, while Peyton was a star at Tennessee. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had a disappointing first season in charge of the Longhorns, finishing with a 5-7 record, but has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, including current NFL players Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa.
It is still far too early to say whether Manning will be able to play anywhere near the level of his uncles, who won two Super Bowls each. One college coach told ESPN that Manning is more athletic than his uncles, who were not known for making plays with their legs.
“He does have a big arm,” the coach said. “He’s a lot more mobile than everyone thinks. He’s not like a Manning who can’t move. He can get out of trouble. He’s not a statue in pocket. He played basketball and can dunk. He’s a prototypical kid that sees the field well. He’s not going to make bad decisions and not make bad plays worse and will truly run the offense.”
Manning will face tough competition to get on the field at Texas. The Longhorns have Quinn Ewers, a transfer from Ohio State, as well as a pair of other talented quarterbacks, Maalik Murphy and Hudson Card.