Arch Manning recruitment: Virginia enters race to sign No. 1 2023 quarterback

The already high-profile recruitment of No. 1 2023 prospect Arch Manning appears to have taken another interesting turn.

In addition to perennial favorites Georgia, Texas, and Alabama, the quarterback is now being courted by an up-and-comer in the ACC: the University of Virginia.

That, according to 247Sports recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong.

“Virginia’s a program that very early on in the process talking to his dad and talking to his couch, was a school they wanted to go see and take a recruiting visit,” Wiltfong said Monday on CBS Sports HQ. 

“So, it's no surprise Arch Manning took a visit to Virginia earlier this spring and they've obviously known coach Tony Elliott for a long time as Clemson was an early contender for Arch Manning, as well.”

Elliott was Clemson's offensive coordinator until taking the Virginia head coaching position and was active in Manning's recruitment when Clemson was still in the running to sign the quarterback.

Virginia ranked No. 3 in total offense nationally last season and was one of three teams to surpass 500 yards per game.

Who else has a shot at Arch Manning?

“When you look at the visits,” Wiltfong said, “he’s taken three visits to Alabama, three visits to Georgia and he’s taken three visits to Texas to date. Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss — where he’s taken two visits — are other contenders.

“LSU and Florida making moves under their new coaching staffs, Brian Kelly and company in Baton Rouge. I’m told the communication has been strong there. 

“And then Florida has been an interesting school as well and certainly coach Napier and the success he had at the University of Louisiana is attractive to any prospect as Florida tries to rebuild their program. 

“Alabama, Georgia, and Texas are the programs that have gotten three visits to date and they’re the programs who have gotten the most buzz because of that.”

Schools with best shot to sign Arch Manning

Let's take a look at which schools have the best chance to sign the No. 1 quarterback, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

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Chance to sign Arch Manning: 36.8%

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.

2. Texas Longhorns

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Chance to sign Arch Manning: 32.2%

Need to know: Texas has gone back and forth in the race to sign the quarterback, who apparently has been quite impressed with the school during the process. Manning has taken five trips to Austin up to now, keeping the Longhorns well in the thick of things. Head coach Steve Sarkisian called Alabama's offense during the national title run in 2020, when the Crimson Tide ran through everyone on the schedule using a pro-style, spread-oriented offense that Manning excels in.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

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Chance to sign Arch Manning: 27.6%

Need to know: Georgia fans gave 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.

4. Ole Miss Rebels

Chance to sign Arch Manning: 1.3%

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.

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 and overall player regardless of position in the 2023 college football recruiting class.

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