College Football Recruiting

Texas landed one of the most high-profile recruits in years in Arch Manning, but the top quarterback prospect won't necessarily see the field early in his college career.

Manning, considered the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports composite rankings, announced Thursday he will play his college ball in Austin:

The issue is the Longhorns will have a loaded quarterback room by the time Manning arrives on campus.

Here is a projected quarterback depth chart for the team in 2023:

1. Quinn Ewers, Sophomore
2. Arch Manning, Freshman
   
3. Hudson Card, Junior
   
4. Maalik Murphy, Sophomore
   
5. Charles Wright, Sophomore
   

Manning is an obvious talent who comes with impressive pedigree as the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning.

"He does have a big arm," a coach who recruited Manning told Pete Thamel of ESPN. "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."

The 6'4", 215-pound Louisiana prep star will join a team that already has an elite prospect at the position:

Ewers was the No. 1 overall prospect in 2021, initially committing to Ohio State before transferring to Texas. The redshirt freshman has yet to see the field for UT, but he is expected to take over as the Longhorns' starting quarterback in 2022.

As long as he reaches even modest expectations, it doesn't seem likely Texas would bench its incumbent starter for a true freshman. Ewers, not Manning, would likely be the key in getting the program back on track after a 5-7 finish in the first year under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The rest of the depth chart also features some exciting options, including Card. The Austin native is the only returning player with college experience, appearing in eight games last season while making two starts.

The sophomore totaled five touchdowns with just one interception during his time on the field, completing 61.4 percent of his passes. As a former 4-star recruit who was considered the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in his class, Card represents another strong option for Texas.

Murphy is another high-upside quarterback who was a 4-star recruit in 2022, committing to the Longhorns over Alabama.

It means snaps won't just be given to Manning—they will need to be earned.

The most likely scenario is Manning redshirts as a freshman or sees limited playing time behind Ewers. If Ewers leaves for the 2024 NFL draft, it will be up to Manning to beat out the more experienced Card and Murphy for a starting role in his second year with the program.

Arch Manning, the nephew of former NFL superstar quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, has committed to play his college football at the University of Texas.

Manning made it official Thursday:

He is among the most hyped college football recruits in years, as 247Sports considers him a 5-star prospect, as well as the No. 1 overall recruit and No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2023.

Texas beat out several big-name schools for Manning, including Alabama, LSU, Clemson and Florida.

Starring at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Manning has established himself as one of the most highly sought-after high school quarterbacks ever.

His production has played a significant role in that, as he has displayed elite potential since his freshman season in 2019.

Per 247Sports, Manning completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,438 yards, 34 touchdowns and six interceptions as a freshman. He followed that up with a sophomore season that saw him complete 66.6 percent of his attempts for 1,922 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven picks.

Manning then threw for 1,947 yards, 26 touchdowns and just four picks last season, while rushing for 381 yards and seven additional scores.

In addition to his play, he comes from perhaps the greatest pedigree in the history of quarterbacks.

His grandfather, Archie Manning, played 13 NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings, earning a pair of Pro Bowl nods.

One of Arch's uncles, Peyton, is in the conversation for greatest quarterback of all time. In 17 NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, he was a 14-time Pro Bowler, five-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion.

He also ranks third all-time in passing yardage and passing touchdowns behind Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

Arch's other uncle, Eli, is a two-time Super Bowl champion in his own right, as well as a four-time Pro Bowler.

While Eli's numbers weren't as eye-popping as Peyton's, he is eighth on the all-time passing yardage list and ninth in touchdowns, and he should one day join his sibling as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Arch's father, Cooper Manning, is the oldest of the Manning brothers. He committed to play at Ole Miss as a wide receiver but retired from football before his freshman season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

Texas is undoubtedly hopeful Arch will follow a similar career path as his uncles since Peyton was a big-time quarterback at Tennessee and Eli starred at Ole Miss before their NFL success.

The competition to land Arch was stiff since essentially every top program wanted him, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian prevailed in the recruiting battle.

While the Longhorns have struggled to reclaim their place as an elite college football program and a national championship contender, the coach has brought some hope back to Texas.

Sarkisian still has to prove he can do the job, but he is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the sport. That alone may have been enough to convince Manning that Texas was the right place for him to develop as a quarterback.

Arch Manning, the top prospect in the Class of 2023 and the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, made an official visit to Alabama over the weekend.

Manning took an official visit to Georgia earlier in June, and is scheduled for an official visit to Texas between June 17-19.

While Alabama, Georgia and Texas appear to be the frontrunners for Manning, Chad Simmons of On3.com reported in May that Florida might still have a shot at his commitment as well.

He has already taken unofficial visits to Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Clemson, LSU, Ole Miss and SMU.

Manning, a 5-star quarterback out of New Orleans, is the top player and quarterback in the Class of 2023, per 247Sports.com's Composite Rankings.

According to Cooper Petagna's scouting report for 247Sports, Manning has "average athleticism and adequate mobility as a runner" and "excellent arm talent, showing the ability to make every throw on the field within the pocket. Shows the ability to drive the ball down the field and play with velocity."

He also has a long line of elite quarterbacks in his family tree, from his grandfather Archie Manning to his uncles, Peyton and Eli. All three played in the NFL, all three were Pro Bowlers, Peyton Manning is a Hall of Famer and there is ongoing debate about whether Eli will, or should, join him in the Hall one day. Peyton and Eli were also both two-time champions.

His father, Cooper Manning, was a highly regarded wide receiver who committed to play at Ole Miss before being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which ended his career.

His family history carries with it its own level of pressure for Arch Manning, which will only ramp up once he joins a prominent college program. Alabama and Georgia have been two of the top programs in college football over the past decade. Texas, meanwhile, would need Manning to help restore them to their former glory.

Expectations will be sky high no matter where he goes. To this point, it appears that will come down to one of those three schools.

Arch Manning has set official visits with Georgia, Alabama and Texas as the 5-star quarterback's recruitment ramps up.

Manning will visit Georgia in the first weekend of June, followed by a trip to Alabama the next weekend and Texas the next, per Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. Those three programs are considered among the likeliest to land the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli. 

Manning is the consensus No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. He has shown a combination of his uncles' pocket presence and his father's athleticism, compiling 6,307 yards and 81 touchdowns through the air, with 742 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. 

The Isidore Newman signal-caller comes into the 2022 season looking to prove himself in the spotlight after bowing out in the state semifinals each of the last two seasons. 

Locking in official visits with Texas, Alabama and Georgia is a promising sign for all three schools, each of which would build its 2023 class around Manning. Alabama and Georgia are perennial championship contenders, while Manning says he's hoping to see improvement from Texas next season.

"Coach Sark's first year with a whole new roster was with a whole new roster and no one he recruited," Manning said. "It's definitely hard to go in and be successful. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do this year. That's kind of my deciding factor there and building a relationship with them. With a year under his belt, let's see what he can do now."

Manning has not set a timetable to announce his decision.

Highly touted 2023 recruit Arch Manning reportedly isn't in a rush to sign any name, image and likeness deals.

On3's Jeremy Crabtree reported Manning won't sign any NIL pacts until he commits to a school because he "doesn't want to tarnish the brand" and "doesn't want it to look like he was induced."

Manning, grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, is the No. 1 overall recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2023. Between that and the fact that he plays quarterback—perhaps the most marketable position on the field—the 18-year-old would rake in the endorsements even if he weren't a member of football royalty.

On3 projects Manning could collect $3.1 million from NIL deals, the third-highest valuation. He trails only Bronny James, who's the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.

Beginning in April, high school athletes in Louisiana such as Manning were allowed to begin signing NIL deals.

Crabtree spoke to a source who said Manning may not take advantage of the opportunity.

"I don’t think the Manning family is going to rush into any kind of deal because of this change," the source said. "But I think this can certainly strengthen his leverage if Arch Manning wants to do something before he moves on to college."

In some cases, it's not hard to see why potential NIL money would be a significant factor in choosing a school. A college career is finite, and nothing is guaranteed in terms of future earnings.

Former Clemson star Justyn Ross looked like a surefire first-round pick after his sophomore season but went undrafted this year in large part because of concerns about a congenital fusion in his spine.

Manning, however, can rest easily knowing he stands to collect a princely sum wherever he goes.

Jahlil Hurley, a 5-star cornerback out of Florence High School in Alabama, is staying in state to play college football for the Crimson Tide.

Hurley told Hank South of BamaOnLine on Tuesday that Alabama head coach Nick Saban was excited when he made the commitment.

"I swear I'm not lyin' … he cracked the biggest smile," he said about Saban's reaction. "And then when I walked out of his office he was like, 'I'm depending on you.' I kid you not."

Hurley also explained the decision: "Why not Bama? Honestly, look at the numbers, look at Coach Saban and all the things he's done at Bama. Why not Bama?"

The class of 2023 prospect is ranked 22nd overall and fourth among cornerbacks on 247Sports' composite rankings.

The 6'2", 170-pounder fielded 18 offers, including ones from Georgia, LSU and Michigan, before settling on the Tide.

Hurley listed a top eight of Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Penn State, Florida, Michigan, Auburn and Texas A&M on Oct. 31:

Alabama eventually won out as Hurley will take his shutdown corner skills to Tuscaloosa starting next year in hopes of helping lead the school to another national championship.

West Virginia quarterback recruit Raheim Jeter's mother, Latresha Hughes, said he was shot during a "road rage incident," but Jeter said he is "doing well and recovering," per Chris Anderson of 247Sports.

Anderson noted that Hughes posted the following message on Facebook:

[Good morning good morning]!! Some may know, some may not my son Raheim Jeter was involved in a road rage incident on Friday 2/18/2022. He was shot in his left leg and will be having surgery soon. I'm asking that everybody keep us in your prayers. I can't say much about the incident because I don't know everything, but I will say my God is awesome! Thanks to everyone who reached out and continue to pray for him.

Jeter is a 3-star prospect in the class of 2023, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

Anderson checked records around Spartanburg, South Carolina, and noted a juvenile was shot around 1:15 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon.

Jeter joined West Virginia's 2023 class in December after he threw for 2,979 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a junior. He selected the Mountaineers over Kentucky, Auburn, Charlotte, Georgia, Memphis, Missouri, Temple and Virginia Tech.

He is the No. 593 overall player, No. 35 quarterback and No. 7 player from the state of South Carolina in the 2023 class in 247Sports' composite rankings.

West Virginia was 6-7 during the 2021 campaign.

Coveted quarterback prospect Arch Manning, who's part of the 2023 college football recruiting class, added Florida and LSU to his list of prospective schools.

His father, Cooper Manning, confirmed to 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong on Wednesday the Gators and Tigers join Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas as potential landing spots for the No. 1-ranked recruit in next year's class.

Clemson is no longer under consideration despite a prior visit, per Wiltfong.

Manning is one of the most talked-about prospects in recent memory. Part of that is his storied family—he's the grandson of Archie and the nephew of Peyton and Eli, all Pro Bowl NFL quarterbacks—but his play in high school is also speaking volumes.

The 6'4'', 215-pound signal-caller stepped right in as the starter at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans as a freshman and he's never looked out of place.

He's completed 64.8 percent of his throws for 5,731 yards (212.3 per game) with 72 passing touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 27 high school games, per MaxPreps. He's added 671 rushing yards and 17 scores on the ground.

Manning previously told John Garcia Jr. of Sports Illustrated he didn't have a specific commitment timetable, but he expected progress toward a decision by the middle of this year at the latest.

"I think I'll have a good idea, a good feeling, probably around next summer or next spring," Manning said in October. "Right now, I have no idea."

The addition of Florida and LSU comes after both schools underwent coaching changes. The Gators hired Billy Napier to replace Dan Mullen, while the Tigers brought in Brian Kelly to take over for Ed Orgeron.

Both Archie and Eli attended Ole Miss, which is still in the running. Peyton's alma mater, Tennessee, isn't currently in the mix.

Arch's decision has the potential to shift the balance of power in the SEC, especially if other top prospects in the 2023 and 2024 classes choose to follow his lead.