The first expert predictions from the industry for Arch Manning

The recruitment of five-star 2023 quarterback Arch Manning of New Orleans Isadore Newman has created plenty of national buzz.

Arch Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the nephew of Petyon and Eli, and the grandson of Archie. Peyton, Eli and Archie were All-SEC stars who reached the NFL. Eli won two Super Bowl MVPs, while Peyton landed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The latest Manning has plenty of offers across the nation, and he has never talked about favorites, but the schools talked about the most this fall have been Alabama,  Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas. Manning previously said he could visit local Tulane and remains in contact with LSU and Stanford as well.

The battle for Manning’s commitment is shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent memory, and the On3 experts have made the first predictions in the industry on where he might end up. While the confidence level is low from most, there is a current consensus on the program most likely to land his pledge.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons
“I like Texas at this stage. 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.”
Prediction: Texas
Confidence Percentage: 40%

On3 Senior National Recruiting Analyst Gerry Hamilton
“Steve Sarkisian’s resume as an offensive mind and developer of quarterbacks is huge. Similar to David Cutcliffe in the recruitments of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning… One thing is absolutely known – Arch Manning will break NIL records, and set a very high bar in that regard. I predict he will do that at the University of Texas. The reason for the Texas pick is the fit with Steve Sarkisian’s offense and resume, the Longhorns moving to the SEC in the next year or two, and the quarterback room is very favorable on Manning’s timeline.”
Prediction: Texas
Confidence Percentage: 65%

DawgsHQ Senior Recruiting Analyst Jake Reuse
“Right now, I’m leaning toward Texas being the pick for Manning. I don’t think he’s locked in to any decision at this point, but Steve Sarkisian has done a great job and is one of the game’s great offensive minds. Right behind them, I think it’s Ole Miss. Georgia is in the mix, but I don’t love their chances right now.”
Prediction: Texas
Confidence Percentage: 30%

ClemsonSports Recruiting Reporter Joseph Hastings
“I’m leaning toward Texas right now as well. Steve Sarkisian has done a great job of pursuing Manning, and him going to see the five-star on Thursday shows how much of a priority he is for the program. The opportunity for Manning to turn Texas football around — which wouldn’t necessarily be the case at traditional powerhouses like Alabama or Clemson —  could also play a role here. I’m not ruling out any of his other contenders since Manning is taking a patient approach, but I’m giving the Longhorns the edge right now.”
Prediction: Texas
Confidence Percentage: 35%

Inside Texas Publisher Eric Nahlin
“The school (Texas) itself has always been palatable to the Mannings, dating back to Cooper and Eli as recruits. We at [Inside Texas] believe the third time will be the charm for UT and the Mannings with confidence rising with each passing month since Steve Sarkisian was hired in January. I’ll readily concede Texas has less margin for error than more recently established programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Clemson, but Texas has been a constant in the recruitment and Sarkisian has done nothing to hurt his reputation as an offensive mind and developer of quarterbacks.”
Prediction: Texas
Confidence Percentage: 75%