WATCH: Arch Manning throws touchdown strike in front of Lane Kiffin

New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning had a special visitor in attendance at Newman’s Friday night playoff game: Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. And the five-star signal-caller made sure to put on a show.

After his rushing touchdown a few plays earlier was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty, Manning threw a touchdown strike reminiscent of his uncle Peyton. The pass put Newman up 7-0, and Manning ran and threw for another score to extend the Greenies’ lead to 30-6 after halftime.

Arch Manning is putting on a show in front of @Lane_Kiffin. https://t.co/bvTEpHepKO pic.twitter.com/OHHa1AaENt

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 20, 2021

Manning is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Already this season, he has received visits from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. That’s in addition to the campus visits he has taken to Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas. It’s no stretch to say his recruitment might be the most hotly contested one in the country right now. And there’s still more than a year until he can sign.

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.”

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 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.”

Manning still has yet to take his official visits, which are likely to come this spring or potentially into the summer.