Archie Manning updates Arch Manning sweepstakes, discusses how recruiting process has transformed

The nation’s No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class is rapidly approaching the most important summer of his recruitment. Isidore Newman High (La.) quarterback Arch Manning has offers from the top programs in the country but keeps everything tight to the vest. Arch’s grandfather, Archie Manning, discussed the five-star’s process at the Nick Saban Legacy Award ceremony in Birmingham this week.

“We’re proud of Arch,” his grandfather said Monday, via AL.com. “It really doesn’t mean anything to me for him to be the No. 1 recruit in the nation. I think that puts a lot of added pressure. The recruiting world has changed and college football has changed a lot. But we’re proud of Arch.

“The best thing for me, as grandpa, is I stay out of it. I have a really good grandfather-grandson relationship. His dad, Cooper, has done a good job during this crazy recruiting. It’s really changed. I’m proud of what they’ve done.”

Arch Manning has visited Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, Georgia and Clemson several times but he hasn’t announced his official visit plans. He hasn’t even narrowed down a list of favorites like most recruits do these days. His grandfather shared that the young Manning’s handling of his recruitment and subsequent attention is what makes him most proud.

“I told Arch the other day I was proud of him because I saw a list of top-10 players,” the elder Manning said. “It gave their weight, school, blah, blah, blah and their Twitter account. He was the only one who didn’t have a Twitter account so I said I’m proud of him for that. It will all work out. He’s handling it well. He’s mature enough to make his own decision and will make a good decision and it will all work out.”

Archie Manning on the evolution of recruitment

Arch Manning had eyeballs on him early thanks in part to his family name but even without it, recruitment starting before high school isn’t unheard of. His grandfather described how different the process is in 2022 from when his own sons went through it.

“When Peyton, Eli and Cooper went through it, it really didn’t turn up until the spring before their senior year,” Archie Manning said. “They might have been getting letters but with Arch, it started in the seventh grade. I don’t think it’s so much that he was that great as a seventh-grader, it was just that’s when it was starting. I’m not that fond of that but that’s just the way it is.

“I guess it still comes down to the end of just trying to pick a place … I know Arch, he wants to where he’s going to be happy as a student, too. I always told my kids that. Pick a place where if football doesn’t work out, where are you going to be happy going to school. I think every young person deserves to have a good college experience.”

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback is just a few months away from beginning his final year of high school in Louisiana. The Five-Star Plus+ prospect has an On3 NIL Valuation standing at $3.1 million. That is largely with no social media presence on any platform either.