Arch Manning update: Where the No. 1 2023 recruit is trending

No player in the 2023 college football recruiting class has aroused as much interest as Arch Manning. And no other player has better kept his intentions a private matter.

A member of the Manning football dynasty, those around him have shielded him from excessive publicity during the process in order that he can have as normal a life as a high school student as possible.

And there's a way to go before he finally makes that decision on his future.

But we do have some general hints about where Manning will play his college football career. Which schools are in the mix to land the quarterback?

Arch Manning recruitment: Where the No. 1 2023 player is trending

1. Georgia Bulldogs

— Visited on Sept. 18

Need to know: Georgia fans gave Arch Manning a very warm welcome during his visit to see the Bulldogs' 40-13 win over South Carolina. And looking at the future, it's easy to see Manning in a Georgia uniform.

Kirby Smart — whose offense Manning said he could see himself playing in — could be in the market for a quarterback. Stetson Bennett returns for 2022, but what then? Four-stars Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton are in the mix, as is 5-star Brock Vandagriff.

That figures to be a crowded QB room going forward, but you can see one of those options transferring out as things get shuffled around. Analysts on the ground continue to favor the Bulldogs in Manning's decision.

2. Ole Miss Rebels

— Visited on Oct. 23

Need to know: The connections here are only too obvious. The name Manning is sacrosanct in Oxford, where Archie and Eli and both football legends beyond reproach. And where Arch's father, Cooper, played briefly.

Rebels coach Lane Kiffin had a long talk with the 2023 prospect last fall, when the team retired Eli's number. "Probably the best conversation he had," according to Arch Manning's high school coach.

Ole Miss comes into a transitional phase with quarterback Matt Corral leaving for the NFL. And the Rebs certainly impressed this past season, scoring over 33 points per game. But the play-caller behind that unit is gone — Jeff Lebby took the OC job at Oklahoma; he had been building a relationship with Manning at Ole Miss before then.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

— Visited on Oct. 2

Need to know: What quarterback doesn't want to play for Nick Saban? You're virtually guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff and favored to win the national championship almost every year.

Arch Manning took in the Crimson Tide's dominant win over Ole Miss last fall, and previously called the program "a machine." And his skill set matched with the most spread-oriented offense Saban has run in recent seasons.

Bryce Young should enter the NFL Draft after 2022, leaving a clear path for Arch to step into a quarterback race with Ty Simpson, another 5-star prospect.

4. Texas Longhorns

— Visited on Oct. 19

Need to know: Steve Sarkisian was OC on Alabama's title team in '20, the one that ran through the SEC like a bulldozer. Now he runs the Longhorns program, where analysts are high he could land Manning in 2023.

The quarterback is set to visit Sarkisian in Austin for a third time, on March 24. That bodes well for Texas' chances to sign the quarterback. As does one other notable development: the Longhorns' attempt to bring on David Cutcliffe in an off-field role.

Cutcliffe was most recently head coach at Duke, but over the years has developed a close relationship with the Mannings. He served as OC at Tennessee when Peyton played there, and has remained close with the family.

Texas making their pursuit of Cutcliffe public is a clear overture to the Mannings.

5. LSU Tigers

Need to know: Something of a newcomer to the Manning sweepstakes, Brian Kelly has been making overtures to the quarterback in recent weeks.

And while LSU does appear to be on Manning's general radar, it's clear that Kelly would have to dramatically improve this team's outlook before the quarterback would consider it as much as he is other schools.

That's very much an open question. Kelly inherits a roster with some structural concerns, and has to make a decision at quarterback. Walker Howard is an elite prospect, but time will tell if he's talented enough to get LSU back in the SEC West race.

Wild Card — Oklahoma

Need to know: A late offer, the Sooners have one ace in its back pocket in Jeff Lebby, the offensive coordinator OU brought over from Ole Miss this offseason.

He called plays for the Rebs a year ago, in a system amenable to Arch's skill set, and has established a rapport with the Manning family on the recruiting trail.

And while he'll have USF transfer Dillon Gabriel to work with this season, Lebby and the Sooners need a foundational piece at the position as they look ahead to SEC membership longer-term.

Arch Manning stats

As a junior at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, Manning threw for 1,947 yards and 26 touchdowns to four interceptions with another seven rushing scores.

In his high school career, he’s thrown for 6,307 yards as a starter in three seasons with 81 touchdowns passing and 19 rushing. He averages almost 13 yards per pass, over 212 passing yards per game, and has 18 career interceptions.

Manning is the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the 2023 college football recruiting class.

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