LOOK: Lane Kiffin attends Arch Manning game, fan asks for signature on face
As a well-known celebrity, you can get some pretty unique requests from fans. And Friday, while attending a high school football game, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin learned that lesson first hand. Kiffin was in Baton Rouge watching Arch Manning and his high school, Isidore Newman high, take on Episcopal. While at the game, one fan in the stands was heard yelling a strange request to the Rebels headman.
According to Brian Holland, Sports Director and Anchor for NBC 33, the fan yelled out to Kiffin, “will you sign my face?”
Lane Kiffin tweeted Friday morning that he would be in Baton Rouge when Episcopal and Isidore Newman play in the quarterfinal round of the Division III state playoffs. Manning is the No. 1 quarterback and top-ranked overall player in the 2023 recruiting class per On3 Sports.
Ole Miss is one of several schools in hot pursuit of Manning. Last month, the nation’s top recruit in the 2023 class attended an Ole Miss home game against LSU. The trip was not just a recruiting trip for the young quarterback. It was to attend the ceremony for his uncle Eli Manning, who had his No. 10 retired by the Rebels that Saturday and enjoyed their victory over his home state team 31-17.
Ole Miss and the Mannings have a rich history together. Along with Eli, Arch’s father Cooper and grandfather Archie also attended the school. Of his grandfather’s three sons only one, Peyton Manning, went to a school other than Ole Miss, the University of Tennessee.
Ole Miss made an impression on Arch Manning
Although Texas has largely been considered the leader for Arch Manning’s eventual commitment, that tune recently changed. Sources tell On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons that the Longhorns are no longer as far ahead as everyone thought. Simmons said this in his latest intel report:
“Texas is still up there. There is no doubt that Manning has connected with Steve Sarkisian. He loves his offensive mind, and what Austin presents on and off the field has his attention. … Georgia has Matt Luke, someone close to the Manning family, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken has really impressed Arch. I am not ready to call Georgia the clear favorite. But I have had multiple sources tell me they feel Georgia is in a great spot.”
Manning has already visited four other schools this fall. He has taken trips to Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, and Texas. But since he is a member of next year’s draft class (2023), he cannot sign an official letter of intent until December of next year, at the earliest.