The Full Scope of Arch Manning: Praise for His Play, Concern Because of Media and Fans

Arch Manning is a very talented quarterback, but his biggest future challenge might be when he’s off the football field.

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Apr 13, 2022 4:52 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS - Few individuals have it better than Arch Manning. The son of former Ole Miss wide receiver Cooper Manning, the nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, and the grandson of Archie Manning, the young quarterback has advantages many cannot imagine.

Do not forget about Olivia Manning, Arch’s grandmother. She’s been able to keep the football-crazed family rolling along for decades despite Peyton and Eli bickering about a pickup basketball game here and there. She’s the true star of the Manning show. All of that said, evaluating the youngest of the signal callers is more challenging than just watching his film.

He’s a great prospect, no doubt, as will be noted point by point below. He’s still harder to project long-term because of his name and circumstances, however, and that will also be a discussion point further down.

With offers galore from the likes of Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Georgia, Notre Dame, Clemson Florida State, and Ohio State among others, Manning’s recruitment has been highly competitive among many national brands. He’s deserving. Here are four areas that Manning excels at on the gridiron.

Arch Manning

Size: 6’4”, 215-pounds

Position: Quarterback

High School: Metairie (La.) Isidore Newman

Class: 2023

Accuracy

With the ability to throw the back shoulder pass, an across-the-field out pattern that goes forty yards, a level two ball over the linebacker and in between the safety, and the ability to throw a bullet to a streaking receiver during a seam route before he’s hit by a hard-charging defender, Manning’s all-around passing skills are far superior to most high school quarterbacks. He’s even more accurate than many college signal callers as well. He does have one particular aspect of his accuracy that’s unique even for big-time prospects.

Depending on the circumstance, Manning adjusts his velocity and the angle of the pass accordingly. Most young quarterbacks really struggle to know how and when to change the speed and trajectory of a pass.

For instance, just because a quarterback can zoom a football to an intended target does not mean it’s necessarily the best way to get a football there. That’s often how interceptions take place. Manning undoubtedly has that category in his tool bag, and it’s aiding him in making difficult completions look much easier than he should be able to at his young age. That leads to the next category.

Adjusting to the Target in Question

This is the mental aspect of velocity and trajectory. Manning knows which category to pull from when making tough throws because he obviously understands his receiving corps well.

Keeping the pass in an area that the plays primary receiver, tight end or running back can catch the football is key. In understanding how to do that that, the Isidore Newman signal caller is showing his football knowledge. Even more specific, knowing that a running back generally does not possess the same catch radius as a talented receiver is the type of situation that Manning showcases his mental aptitude.

No matter the player he throws a pass towards, Manning is one of those young quarterbacks that “gets it” as it relates to setting up each player with the best chance of making a catch.

If a rainbow-type of pass is something that leads to a completion, Manning does it. If there’s a need to place just a little bit of loft on the football, that’s also an area Manning showcases his mental and physical prowess. Finally, when it’s time to throw a fastball, he’s more than capable of doing so. This also extends into where and when Manning is while passing the football.

Changing Arm Angles

Not many right handed signal callers throw well while maneuvering to the left. Arguably the two most spectacular passes Manning made in 2020 actually came while moving to his left and not being able to set his feet properly. Moving away from a defender in each situation, Manning does what needs to and creates a throwing motion for each pass. It’s an acquired skill and one that he’s showing signs of being really good at. Just a sophomore at the time, it shows maturity and mental understanding of the quarterback position overall.

Both plays require down the field throws, which Manning makes look easy by placing the football right in the hands of the intended targets. Each time, it’s a different velocity and trajectory. That’s something Manning consistently utilizes. It’s impressive. The last part of this category is most impressive though.

Quarterbacks are taught to step into their throws, but that’s not always possible. Making off-platform throws is the difference for many quarterbacks reaching the National Football League, and Manning is already establishing himself as one of those quarterbacks that can do just that.

He even makes some of those throws while being under heavy duress from pass rushers; that’s the true litmus test for a signal caller. Manning is quite good at it.

Mobility

To help him with the ability to make those off-platform throws, Manning can run and make lateral movements well. In short, he’s much more mobile at this stage of his career than either of his uncles. Remember, his father, Cooper, is listed as a former Ole Miss receiver, not a quarterback.

Arch seems to play somewhat like Archie, the quarterback that ran for 25 touchdowns during his playing days in Oxford, Miss. for the Rebels. That mobility has seemingly been passed down and is allowing Arch to escape pressure and throw passes that either Peyton or Eli would likely have been sacked. Now that the discussion of physical talent is complete, one last area to discuss.

Handling the Media and Fans

First off, from all accounts, the youngest of the Manning quarterbacks is well versed academically and socially. He’s a sharp young man and one person that’s been around him mentioned in confidence the other day, “he’s just a normal kid.”

That’s great to hear. He deserves to be a normal kid, although that’s more than just a little bit difficult considering his right arm and bloodlines. Hopefully that’s truly the case and none of the following ends up being a concern either. Time will tell.

Still, media experience matters. That could lead to future pitfalls that could be avoided otherwise. Arch does not deserve that, but nothing is assured no matter what transpires moving forward.

Ever since Manning began receiving offers for his outstanding play, there’s been a ring around him, of sorts, to keep media away. He does not do interviews, go to camps, combines, or even seven-on-seven.

Whether that’s because the Manning family wants him to lead a so-called normal teenager life or for another reason, that’s not exactly known. Perhaps there are a bevy of reasons. No matter, that does bring up one potential flaw and it’s coming sooner than later.

Microphones are coming his way or else. Once in college at one of the college football heavyweights like Texas, if the Longhorns brass do not allow Manning to be interviewed and interviewed all but right away, the media (and fans) are likely going to be none too happy.

There’s no reason for the young man to receive negativity from it, but fans on social media and traditional media outlets are both likely to be hasty in casting negativity towards the youngest Manning if that happens (same towards the coaching staff, administration, etc., if they allow it to happen). Regardless of whichever institution he decides to wear a football helmet for, there’s going to be major stress for Manning to be in front of the microphone in the year 2023 as a college football player. It’s unfortunate, but true for Manning.

Further, Manning not being interviewed during his prep career and potentially during the early portion of his college career will just add to the annoying and nagging questions he’s bound to get anyway.

What’s it like being Peyton’s nephew? That question has an over/under of about 100 during Manning’s first two weeks on campus just from the student body alone.

Are you going to win the Heisman Trophy? That particular question is all but assured as well, and it’s likely to happen during his freshman year of college, if not the first week he’s on campus. Being a Manning has its perks, and a few downfalls, too.

It is what it is.

There’s quite a bit of time before Manning hits the college football scene, so much of this particular category could change. For his sake, it would be wise to allow him to be a part of at least some form of press conference where he takes a few general questions and talks to the media. Just talk some ball with the media and discuss his life in general.

A few statements, a few basic questions, pick on Peyton and Eli (as they will undoubtedly do with him, too) and then move on with his day.

Put all three of the brothers up there with him, grandma and grandpa as well. Make it fun. Make it an event that takes some of the future stress off of young Arch. He deserves that before his life is truly thrown in a blender at a location like Athens or Tuscaloosa or Austin.

Just imagine how a personality like Peyton could make that a laughing fest as he picks on Eli and vice versa. Arch can just chime in, follow grandpa’s lead whenever he disapproves of one of Peyton’s smart aleck comments about Eli or anyone else. It would truly be a blast and be good for Arch.

The media show is coming full force sooner than later, so it’s best that young Arch is acclimated to the life that’s ahead of him in advance. At least in that type of setting it’s at least partially controlled and Arch can just be himself just like he is on the gridiron when he’s throwing touchdown passes.

Even with the media following his every move, maybe the youngest of all the Manning signal callers is truly ready to rise and fire. That would be awesome, as he would be showcasing the ability to focus on the task at hand and just play football. Amen to that.

In fact, with his obvious skills on the gridiron there is most likely bound to be quite a bit of success from Arch's physical tools alone, and hopefully nothing but off the field success follows for Arch as well because of his intelligence and positive social behavior. He is a Manning quarterback, however, so there is some uncertainty until he’s actually been a part of multiple press conferences and dealt with college students without a clue of what to ask him while passing him in a college hallway.

In conclusion, there’s such a high upside with being the young Manning. Let’s all hope that he reaches those lofty expectations and he’s treated fairly along the way no matter the media or on-campus campus questions thrown his way.

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