QB Arch Manning – nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli – chooses Texas

Arch Manning is officially a Longhorn.

The top high school quarterback recruit in the class of 2023 and nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning ended months of speculation on Thursday by tweeting that he has ‘Committed to the University of Texas.’

Named for his grandfather, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, Arch is the son of Peyton and Eli’s older brother, Cooper, who was also a top college recruit before his NCAA football career was cut short by spinal stenosis.

Arch chose Texas, a historically strong program that’s coming off a dreadful 3-6 season, over several major powerhouses, including Alabama, LSU, Clemson, and the defending-champion Georgia Bulldogs. He also passed over the chance to play at Ole Miss – Archie, Eli and Cooper’s alma mater.

The 18-year-old did follow in his father and uncles’ footsteps by attending the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where the third-generation football star has impressed since starting at quarterback as a freshman.

‘He’s probably a little ahead of them as a freshman,’ Archie Manning told the Indy Star in 2019, when asked to compare young Arch with his uncles.

Since then, Arch has soared to the top of every college football coach’s wish list, while doing his best to maintain his own private life. His Instagram account is private, and his Twitter account appears to have been created for the sole purpose of announcing his college decision on Thursday.

Interestingly, Arch hasn’t lined up any name, image or likeness (NIL) deals, like many recruits have done since the NCAA loosened restrictions on student athletes’ endorsements. However, that could change now that he’s settled on Texas.

Arch’s commitment represents the first major recruiting win for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who took over the storied Longhorns program last season and is charged with rebuilding the four-time national champions into a powerhouse.