Video: Arch Manning 2019 highlights
Watch MaxPreps Freshman of the Year pile up many of his 34 touchdown passes.
On paper, some may have had slightly better stats.
In reality, none performed under a fraction of the weight expectations as Newman (La.) quarterback Arch Manning.
The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning thrived at their alma mater as a freshman, throwing for 2,407 yards and 34 touchdowns, helping Newman to a 7-0 start and a 9-2 season overall.
Manning entered the season as the No. 2 ranked quarterback in his class according to
Recruiting Brain, a college scouting service that focuses on identifying top young recruits.
Not only was Manning unfazed by the pressure, but he improved every Friday night.
"I think he's extremely resilient," Newman coach Nelson Stewart
told the NOLA.com. "He shows a lot of maturity and that's what you want to see in a quarterback. He did a really good job of just taking what the defense gives him. He's gotten better each and every week."
Manning highlights the 2019 MaxPreps Freshmen All-American Team that also features fellow gifted signal-callers Taron Dickens, John Mark Shaw and Dante Moore.
MaxPreps 2019 Football Freshmen All-American Team
First Team Offense
Threw for 2,407 and 34 touchdowns, completing some highlight-reel passes in the process.
Signal-caller led Northwestern to state title by tossing for 3,048 yard and 38 touchdowns.
Averaged more than 100 rushing yards per game; has all the tools to be special.
Rushed for 1,458 yards and 16 scores on the gridiron and will now be one of the area's top baseball talents.
Found the end zone 23 times for one of the top programs in the Lone Star State.
Followed up a 600-yard eighth grade season by scoring 10 touchdowns as a ninth grader.
Homerun-hitting wideout led all ninth graders in receiving yards.
Recorded 41 catches for 620 yards and eight touchdowns for the 6A Division 2 state champs.
Jaden Greathouse, Westlake receiver
Photo by Joe Calomeni
"Mega" Barnwell was an all-district and all-region pick.
"It is quite rare for a freshman to start at national power Mater Dei. Especially on the offensive line," said Jim Stefani of Recruiting Brain.
Touted youth player transitioned well to big-time Texas varsity football.
Contributed valuable minutes for non-Public Group IV runner-up.
Also a force at defensive tackle, with two sacks for the perennial New Jersey power.
Roadgrader opened up holes en route to a Class 6A state title.
Jumbo athlete with stellar pedigree was a force for Class 6 state champs.
First Team Defense
Tallied 45 tackles and two sacks for one of the top programs in Ohio.
Son of the former No. 1 ranked recruit in the country. Has a bright future of his own after registering 80 tackles and five sacks as a ninth grader.
Faulk was the only freshman to secure first team all-state honors in Alabama's Class 2A.
Registered 54 tackles and seven sacks for Alabama's Class 7A state champs.
After receiving offers as an eighth grader, backed up the hype with a pick-six in his first varsity game.
Siale Esera, Timpview linebacker
Photo by Dave Argyle
Tough, physical athlete was also a key offensive weapon for Raleigh.
Sideline-to-sideline backer accumulated 103 tackles and four interceptions.
Terrorized opposing quarterbacks to the tune of 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Multi-talented athlete had three sacks and earned all-area honors at punter.
Shutdown corner nabbed four interceptions in his second season of varsity action.
With 64 tackles and four pass breakups, Mitchell lived up to the immense hype for his ninth-grade season.
Delivering punishing tackles to stop the run while nabbing three interceptions.
Son of Chiefs running backs coach has incredibly bright future in the defensive backfield.
Second Team Offense
Prototypical gunslinger threw for 2,122 yards and 24 scores.
All-area pick registered 2,731 yards and 33 touchdowns for Michigan's Division 2 state finalist.
District newcomer of the year rushed for 1,019 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Averaged nearly nine yards per carry in his second varsity season, drawing comparisons to former American Heritage star Sony Michel.
Mark Fletcher, American Heritage running back
Photo by Charity Byrd
Rushed for 1,204 yards and 17 touchdowns, with the physical frame to handle an even bigger workload over the next three seasons.
Speedster was a deep threat for nationally ranked Dutch Fork.
Silky-smooth wideout earned numerous postseason accolades in addition to multiple SEC offers.
Incredibly, the gifted receiver might be even better at baseball.
In limited reps, showed extremely bright future.
Arguably the most impressive ninth-grade offensive player in Broward County.
Member of the U.S. National Team could be next top lineman from Washington.
Also a gift wrestler, Sanker has sky-high potential on the gridiron.
Mixed it up with some of the best competition the state of Oklahoma had to offer.
Mauling interior lineman went toe-to-toe with some of the country's top defensive lines.
Prolific runner amassed 1,804 yards and scored 30 touchdowns.
Second Team Defense
Rangy edge rusher is also a gifted hooper.
Made a huge impact in the trenches for the CIF Southern Section Division 5 champs. Racked up 65 tackles, three sacks and forced a fumble.
Tallied nine sacks to go along with 46 total tackles.
Has already compiled 162 tackles in two seasons of varsity football.
Bulldog up the middle for 10-3 New Bern squad.
Saw action in 10 games and flashed signs of a very bright future.
All-region pick was responsible for 84 tackles and forced two fumbles.
Perhaps the top freshman in Kansas made 56 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Physical manchild tallied 101 tackles.
LB — David Vadala, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 5-10, 205 Amassed an impressive 114 tackles and eight sacks in 11 games.
Dynamic athlete was a highlight waiting to happen on both sides of the ball.
DeAndre Moore, Desert Pines defensive back
Photo by Chris Trim
Key fixture of Bishop Gorman's nucleus of young talent; broke up three passes and made 21 tackles in 13 games.
Made 73 tackles and two interceptions, but given his powerful frame, could be more of a linebacker at the next level.
Ball-hawking DB picked off five passes in 2019 while also making 52 tackles.
