Arch Manning: The Best Case Scenarios for Kentucky

Arch Manning, ever heard of him? He’s only the biggest name in college football recruiting since… ever?

There have been many top-ranked quarterbacks that were a walking hype machine in high school, Trevor Lawrence might be the closest recent comparison, yet none of them had the last name “Manning.” He has the name and the talent to reinforce the out-of-this-world hype in the social media era.

Kentucky is not in contention for the No. 1 player in the On3 Consensus. However, there’s a good chance he will face the Wildcats where ever he plays college football. Allow me to lay out the best case scenarios for Kentucky in the most ridiculous manner possible.

Texas

The Manning camp keeps things pretty tight-lipped, but according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Longhorns are currently the leader in the clubhouse. Steve Sarkisian began recruiting Arch when he was the Alabama offensive coordinator. The style of play is right up his alley and the Longhorns are set to join the SEC. When exactly that will happen is still a mystery, but I’m confident they will make the move when ESPN gets CBS’ TV rights in 2024, Arch’s sophomore season.

Best Case Scenario: After sitting behind Quinn Ewers as a true freshman, Manning wins the competition as a sophomore. They’re good, but not great in his first season, earning a bid to the Sugar Bowl. After a come-from-behind victory on New Year’s Day, Manning declares, “TEXAS IS BACK” as the confetti falls. The following year Mark Stoops welcomes the Longhorns to Kroger Field and the Cats pitch a shut out, throw Horns Downs and play “All my Ex’s live in Texas” after Sark calls in the backups during a blowout.

Alabama

Nick Saban is a recruiting machine that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Once winners with defense, Saban has evolved, pumping out one first round quarterback after another, starting with Tua, then Mac Jones and now Bryce Young. Manning could easily be sold on joining that machine en route to becoming the next Heisman-winning first round selection.

Best Case Scenario: Nick Saban will not stop recruiting top-ranked quarterbacks just because he has a Manning under center. After a so-so first season as the Crimson Tide’s starter, the next best thing from California will take his talents to Tuscaloosa and beat out Manning, sending the talented passer into the transfer portal. After watching Will Levis, another transfer portal quarterback, selected with the No. 1 overall pick in a pro-style offense, Manning lands in Lexington for his final two years of college football, leading the Wildcats to a Sugar Bowl in his hometown.

Georgia

Even though Georgia is in second in the Manning sweepstakes right now according to the RPM, Georgia feels like the perfect fit for Manning. Kirby Smart recruits like his hair is on fire and he’s already hosted Manning for a visit. This week he told On3’s Sam Spiegelman that Kirby is a “real normal guy,” and, “Athens is probably the best college town I’ve ever been to.”

Best Case Scenario: Winning a National Championship with Stetson Bennett at quarterback told Kirby Smart that he does not need to have a game-changing pocket passer to win it all. Football is still about playing defense and running the football. Like Justin Fields and JT Daniels, Smart’s out-dated offensive philosophy will ultimately drive Manning away from the best college town he’s ever been to.

Ole Miss

The Manning name is kind of a big deal in Oxford. After all, the speed limit on campus is 18, the number his grandpa wore during his playing days. Things are little bit different now with the Lane Train in town, but Kiffin’s exciting offense is attractive for any quarterback.

Best Case Scenario: Kiffin’s Twitter account is fun from afar, until it angers the family patriarch. As tensions brew between the family and the head coach, the Rebels start falling apart in year four under Kiffin, just like they did at USC. This time he makes it off the tarmac, but Kiffin’s time is done before Arch’s career takes wings. (A hypothetical that’s too far-fetched to even fathom, because the Mannings ain’t trusting Arch to this loose cannon.)