LOOK: Arch Manning visited by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart

A week after playing in front of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning had another notable visitor Friday night.

Manning, the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 On300 rankings, was visited by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart as Newman took on Florida powerhouse Berkeley Prep.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart getting an up-close view of Newman QB Arch Manning before his nationally televised game against Tampa, Fla. Berkeley Prep at Lupin Field on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/vHHvjaohVH

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) October 23, 2021

The game was part of ESPNU’s Manning-focused marathon. The Manning Family Football Showcase, as it’s been dubbed, featured an entire day of screen time dedicated to football’s “First Family.”

That included: two games from Eli Manning’s days as quarterback at Ole Miss and four games of Peyton’s at Tennessee. Along with the games, both past and present, ESPN aired the SEC Storied film “The Book of Manning.” The mini-documentary features interviews with Archie, his wife Olivia, and the couple’s three sons: Peyton, Eli and Cooper.

Arch Manning is the real deal

While his last name draws plenty of attention, it’s his on-field play that has made him must-watch TV. The youngest Manning prodigy is a top-two recruit in the 2023 class by every recruiting industry site, and his offers from Alabama, Clemson, Texas, Georgia and others back that up. In his first two varsity seasons, Manning threw for more than 4,300 yards and 55 touchdowns. Through five games this season, he has thrown for 1,186 yards, 17 touchdowns and just one interception.

Texas is in the lead for his commitment

Arch Manning has given away very little about the status of his recruitment, but he has taken visits to Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, and he will be at Ole Miss this weekend. A visit to Clemson is scheduled for November. He came away impressed by the Bulldogs and the atmosphere in Athens, including a group of students painting “We Want Arch” on their chests at the game.

But as it stands now, Texas looks to be the leader for Arch Manning’s commitment a little more than a year from the early signing period.

He visited the Longhorns last weekend, and Texas has made a major impression. His relationship with head coach Steve Sarkisian is arguably the strongest of any he’s built. The Longhorns’ first-year head coach also visited Louisiana to watch Manning play last Thursday.

“(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 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 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.”