Arch Manning's high school coach discusses Brian Kelly's early impact on LSU recruiting scene

After parting ways with former head coach Ed Orgeron, the LSU Tigers are now moving forward with new head coach Brian Kelly, who was hired away from Notre Dame during the offseason. While Kelly hasn’t coached LSU in a game yet, he has already begun making an impact on the recruiting trail.

Quarterback Arch Manning is the top quarterback and overall player in On3’s 2023 Consensus player recruiting rankings. Manning is a New Orleans native and plays high school football at Isidore Newman High School. He is coached by Nelson Stewart, who has spent 24 years on Isidore Newman’s staff and 17 years as the school’s head football coach.

Stewart has seen quite a few LSU coaches come through. But in a recent conversation with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Stewart said that no LSU head coach has made an impression like Kelly has, which has really helped on the recruiting scene.

“No coach has come through and made as strong of an impression as Brian Kelly,” Stewart said, via Thamel. “He has a humility and authenticity when you meet him. You feel like you’ve known him forever.”

Kelly talked about how recruiting for LSU compares to his previous experience at Notre Dame. The New Tigers coach has immediately seen the differences, noting the personal feel at the schools in the Louisiana community.

“I used to go to California, and I gotta beat USC, UCLA,” Kelly said. “I gotta beat the hometown school on these kids. Here, I go into these schools, and I’m up on the video board.”

Stewart on LSU recruiting Manning

Manning is obviously a very coveted player, and essentially every power in college football has been involved in his recruitment. As of now, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Texas a 38.1% chance at landing Manning, With Georgia (32.5%) and Alabama (27.2%) trailing just behind. But even though LSU might not be a favorite in recruiting Manning, Stewart explained the importance of gaining an offer from a prestigious program like the Tigers have.

“An LSU offer is the prestigious offer,” Stewart said. “When kids get that offer, it’s very, very special. LSU has the tradition, facilities and recruiting the camaraderie. It’s a very special place. It does sell itself. When LSU football is rolling, I don’t think there’s anything as exciting in the state of Louisiana.”

Manning also leads On3’s High School Football NIL Rankings, with an On3 NIL Valuation of $2.1 million.

The Kelly era is just getting underway at LSU, but the new Tigers head coach has undoubtedly already made an impression around the community. Whether or not LSU is able to land Manning remains to be seen, but Kelly has made an impression at Isidore Newman either way.