When a member of the Manning family randomly shows up on a college campus, you better believe people are going to start asking why and whether or not it has anything to do with Arch Manning’s recruitment.
That’s been the case ever since Eli Manning, Arch’s uncle, was spotted at Notre Dame on Wednesday. Specifically, Uncle Eli was seen paling around with Brady Quinn, the former Notre Dame quarterback who recently announced that he was spearheading a NIL collective to support Fighting Irish football.
Manning seen outside Notre Dame Stadium talking with Brady Quinn. Quinn recently started an NIL collective which will certainly play a large role in Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts, including for Arch Manning.#CFB #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/dd4y0dqjC6
— CJ Golson (@CJGolson) April 28, 2022
Another photo later popped up showing Manning with Quinn, Rocket Ismail, Rick Mirer, and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick.
@EliManning my daughter (in the red) wanted to tell you…when she met you tonight at Notre Dame…to tell your brother thank you! His help making Peyton Manning hospital a reality saved her when she had a stroke last year while a senior in high school! Thank you and your family! pic.twitter.com/A0q8ygZXx9
— Thomas Gallagher (@TommyG_Hurdles) April 28, 2022
Does this really have anything to do with Arch Manning, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023? Almost certainly not. Both Eli and Peyton are said to have been in South Bend as part of a shoot for NFL Films and Peyton’s show. Given the appearance of Mirer and Quinn, the episode likely revolves around former Notre Dame quarterbacks.
Yes, the Manning Bros. were on the #NotreDame campus today. Peyton and Eli were here for a midday shoot at a series of ND locations for @NFLFilms — South Dining Hall and Walsh Hall among them. More sightings to come on Thursday, I'm told. Deep breath, Irish fans. #NDFootball
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) April 28, 2022
In order to stop the flood of messages I am receiving …. the Mannings are on campus to shoot an episode of Peyton’s show. This is NOT about Arch or recruiting. Notre Dame is ALL IN on Dante Moore and have been for a long time. He is the guy they want.
— Bryan Driskell (@CoachD178) April 28, 2022
And so, the brief moment in which Notre Dame fans wondered if they were going all-in on Arch Manning was over.
The favorites to land the latest quarterback in the Manning Dynasty remain Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, though it’s worth noting that former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has been working his magic for his new school, LSU.
The Irish, meanwhile, appear to be all-in on five-star quarterback Dante Moore for the Class of 2023.
