Arch Manning impressed by Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss visit
New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning has completed all five of his fall unofficial visits, and now, he’s focused on the team’s playoff run.
Manning, the No. 1 overall player in the On3 Consensus, tripped to Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, and most recently, Clemson. Each of the schools is vying for the services of the best junior in the country, and each has a different pitch.
His head coach, Nelson Stewart, told 247Sports that Manning came away impressed with his trip to Ole Miss on Oct. 23. That weekend, the school honored his uncle Eli, whose No. 10 jersey was retired. “Manning” was painted into both end zones, supposedly as just a tribute to Eli. But savvy recruiters know what they’re doing.
“He told me he really enjoyed talking to (Lane) Kiffin,” Stewart said. “(Arch) said it was fun talking to him before the game. He said everybody was really nice and he had a great time with his family.
“He just said he really enjoyed before the game on the field talking to (Jeff) Lebby and Kiffin and the environment was great. A great college town. He said it was probably the best conversation he had, and they were able to relate and talk, and it was an authentic good conversation. And he really enjoyed talking to them.”
Arch Manning could make a decision this spring or summer
Stewart also told 247Sports he expects Manning to take another round of visits — likely official visits — before sitting down with his family to discuss his options.
“The biggest thing with him is not making an emotional decision, take his time and be thoughtful with it,” Stewart added.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian — along with quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee — have each attended one of Manning’s games this fall. And Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien made the trip to New Orleans to watch Manning on Alabama’s bye week.
The trio of Texas, Alabama, and Georgia seem to be standing out to Manning. He has praised Sarkisian and the atmosphere in Austin.
“(Sark) is a laid-back guy, which I really like,” Manning said recently. “He’s not always pitching me. He just checks in and that’s one thing I like about him. When it is football, he’s a genius.”
According to On3’s expert predictions, Texas has the upper hand for Arch Manning’s commitment, though it’s far from insurmountable.
“I like Texas at this stage,” Chad Simmons wrote. “Although he had very good visits to Alabama and Georgia this fall, and Clemson and Ole Miss are in this, Steve Sarkisian has really connected with Arch Manning. The buzz really seems to be with the Longhorns. It is because of Sarkisian, his offense, and how he has recruited the No. 1 junior in the country.”