Arch Manning, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023, is still deciding where he wants to play college football. While SEC schools like Alabama and Georgia are among the favorites to land the quarterback, there’s one SEC school that is under the radar thanks to the impression made by its new head coach.
Evan Stewart, Manning’s high school coach at Isidore Newman, told ESPN that LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has stood out and made a big impression.
“No coach has come through and made as strong of an impression as Brian Kelly,” Stewart said, via ESPN+. “He has a humility and authenticity when you meet him. You feel like you’ve known him forever.”
“An LSU offer is the prestigious offer,” Stewart added. “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.”
Arch, the nephew of Peyton and Eli, lives in Louisiana so it stands to reason that the Tigers, who won a national title in 2019, would have a lot going for them in the sweepstakes. Of course, time will tell if Kelly’s efforts will pay off given how far along schools like Texas, Alabama, and Georgia are in their relationship with the youngest Manning QB.
Arch visited Virginia a few weeks back but all signs point to Texas and Alabama remaining the frontrunners to land him. However, don’t count out some of the other contenders like LSU, Florida, and Ole Miss, all of whom have made their own impressions on the coveted recruit.
[ESPN+]
