Uncle Eli to Arch Manning: ‘Don’t put extra pressure on yourself’

When you’re the No. 1 recruit in the country, there is already built-in stress. When you’re the No. 1 recruit and your last name is Manning, like 2023 five-star star quarterback Arch Manning, the expectations are amplified 10-fold.

Fortunately for Manning, who stars at New Orleans Isidore Newman, he has family he can lean on for advice. That includes his uncle Eli Manning, who just happens to be a two-time Super Bowl champion and veteran of the recruiting trail himself.

Eli was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, and he shared the advice he’s given his nephew.

“Just enjoy it, work hard at it, be a great teammate,” Eli Manning said during the interview. “You’ll figure out where you’re going to play college. You’ll make a good decision, you’ll know the right spot. Then you’ll enjoy that time as well. But don’t miss out on this time in your life because people want you to make a decision or, you know, don’t put extra pressure on yourself.”

Eli Manning, who was one of the nation’s top quarterbacks when he was coming out of high school in 1999, played at Ole Miss, like his dad. Manning said he can’t even begin to comprehend the amount of pressure on his nephew.

“I feel for him,” Manning said. “I mean, he’s got so much pressure, so many expectations. People say, ‘Hey, I hear your nephew is going to be the best of all of y’all.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s no pressure.’ Peyton just went into the Hall of Fame this year. It’s not hard to become better than him and have a better career.”

But Manning said he’s doing what he can to pass along words of wisdom to Arch Manning, who’s the son of the oldest Manning brother, Cooper.

“I told him, ‘Hey, enjoy being a high school football player,’ ” Eli Manning said. “Like, that is a great time in your life, some of the best friends you’ll have forever. Don’t start thinking so much about colleges or, ‘Hey, where am I going to go play college?’ and think about the next levels where you don’t get to enjoy this time in your life.”

Latest in Arch Manning’s recruitment

Arch Manning is just beginning to go through his fall unofficial visit schedule. He was at Georgia this past weekend. Dawgs fans did their best to impress him Saturday, as a slew of students painted “We Want Arch” on their backs for the quarterback to see. The section of fans, known as the “Spike Squad,” frequently populate section 109 in Sanford Stadium with full-body paint.

Up next for Manning is a visit to Alabama on October 2, followed by Texas on October 16, Ole Miss on October 23 and Clemson on October 30.

Arch Manning has passed for more than 4,000 yards and 55 touchdowns in his first two high school seasons. Isidore Newman’s schedule was derailed by Hurricane Ida, but the Greenies will be resuming play as soon as possible.

Why Manning is No. 1 in 2023

Charles Power, the director of scouting and rankings for On3, said Arch Manning is deserving of the No. 1 ranking in the 2023 class.

“Simply put, Arch Manning has one of the quickest and purest releases I’ve seen from a high school quarterback,” Power said. “His throwing motion is concise, with no moving parts. The ball consistently comes out quickly. In-person, it’s almost easy to not notice the release unless you’re watching it explicitly. It’s that fast. 

“One of Manning’s throws from the Clemson camp made the rounds after being shared on social media with many viewers taking note of his throwing motion. Even Uncle Eli chimed in.”

Power also praised Manning’s strong natural throwing motion and feel for the game.