Sep 18, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; High school player Arch Manning looks on with his parents during a game between the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The recruitment of Class of 2023 quarterback Arch Manning is coming down to the wire and it seems likely that the highly touted prospect will make a decision in the very near future.

For months, we’ve been watching some of the top college football programs battle it out with recruiting pitches and campus visits. Clemson was an early contender but dropped off. Texas emerged as a favorite but then Alabama gained steam while Georgia made a run as well. Meanwhile, Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida were all in the mix. Virginia then became an interesting consideration when Arch visited Charlottesville in early April.

While the speculation is running rampant over where Peyton and Eli’s nephew might choose to play college football, Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports seems pretty adamant that three programs are getting “the most buzz” for Manning and remain the most likely destinations.

“Virginia’s a program that very early on in the process talking to his dad and talking to his couch, was a school they wanted to go see and take a recruiting visit,” Wiltfong said Monday on CBS Sports HQ. “So, it’s no surprise Arch Manning took a visit to Virginia earlier this spring and they’ve obviously known coach Tony Elliott for a long time as Clemson was an early contender for Arch Manning, as well. When you look at the visits, he’s taken three visits to Alabama, three visits to Georgia and he’s taken three visits to Texas to date. Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss — where he’s taken two visits — are other contenders.

“LSU and Florida making moves under their new coaching staffs, Brian Kelly and company in Baton Rouge. I’m told the communication has been strong there. And then Florida has been an interesting school as well and certainly, coach Napier and the success he had at the University of Louisiana is attractive to any prospect as Florida tries to rebuild their program. Alabama, Georgia, and Texas are the programs that have gotten three visits to date and they’re the programs who have gotten the most buzz because of that.”

Arch is widely considered to be the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2023 and, if his uncles are any indication, wherever he plays football will benefit greatly from it.

Manning and his family have made it clear they have no timetable and will make a decision when it makes sense for them. Until then, we’ll keep an eye on where the buzz is leading things.

[CBS Sports HQ]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.