They're already running out of superlatives for super sophomore quarterback
Arch Manning of
Newman (New Orleans). The 2019 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year gets the high school football season underway in Louisiana on Thursday when his Greenies travel to East Jefferson (Metairie).
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is supposed to be poised and polished, accurate and strong-armed — all the things he is — because he's the nephew of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning and grandson of College Hall of Famer Archie. His dad Cooper, a receiver, likely would have played in the NFL too if not for a severe back injury.
Beyond the pedigree and skill, however, it's Arch Manning's intangibles that might surprise many. Coaches, scouts and teammates alike use terms like "grounded" and "humble," "authentic" and "unassuming" when talking about the No. 1 quarterback and No. 5 overall sophomore recruit in the nation,
according to 247Sports.
Given his family lineage, those traits are refreshing. And keys to his early success, said Newman coach Nelson Stewart.
Arch Manning and his Newman Greenies open 2020 play Thursday on the road against East Jefferson.
File photo by Parker Waters
"There is an authenticity to him and a humbleness to him and he doesn't have all the answers," Stewart told
Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. "He has a team-based approach, great work ethic and he's incredibly humble."
Even as Newman's first freshman to start at quarterback in the school's 114-year history — yes, his uncles and Cooper also went there — Arch Manning knew his place. He chose to ride the freshman bus last season and positioned himself toward the back of team lines, behind juniors and seniors.
When game time came, however, he stepped forward. Manning completed 65 percent of his passes (204 of 316) for 2,509 yards and 34 touchdowns against six interceptions as the Greenies finished 9-2.
The ability to extend plays — he played varsity basketball and has excellent footwork — improvise, change arm angles, throw on the run and deliver passes smoothly from the pocket make him an obvious top college prospect. Even as a 15-year-old sophomore.
Newman's 2019 season ended with disappointing 22-20 playoff loss to Dunham. Manning was 10 of 20 passing for 71 yards and no TDs, all season lows.
Manning didn't need the stinging defeat to push him in the offseason, but it probably didn't hurt either. According to the school's roster, he's grown an inch and gained more than 20 pounds from his lanky freshman frame.
"He's one of those kids if he's 21 of 23 (passing), he wants to focus on the two incompletions," said Stewart, starting his 15th season at Newman, where he played offensive line with Peyton and Cooper. "He likes to get coached and he doesn't always think he's right. He's all about his teammates, all about getting better, everything is earned, nothing is given."
Arch Manning is considered the No. 5 recruit overall and No. 1 quarterback for the Class of 2023.
File photo by Parker Waters
According to 247Sports, he has nine college offers: Alabama, Boston College, Duke, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas. Archie, Cooper and Eli all attended Ole Miss while Peyton went to Tennessee.
But recruiting can wait. It's going to be an avalanche.
Now is about being a kid, getting better and helping Newman replace 25 seniors off last year's team. One of the new players is Manning's freshman brother,
Heid, a 5-10, 185-pound offensive lineman who made the varsity roster, which was restricted to 55 players due to COVID-19 guidelines.
Cooper and the Manning family last season acted like offensive linemen, protecting Arch from large media demands, restricting him from interviews, recruiters and social media in general. This season, however, he'll be able to stray outside the pocket and spread his leadership skills.
In his first interview conducted earlier this month, Arch told
Nola.com reporter Christopher Dabe the strange offseason due to COVID-19 led to loads of lengthy Zoom calls with Stewart.
"We would go through one (2019) game each day, work through every single play, every progression, every defensive type and front," Manning said. "It was good. I'm glad I got the most out of those quarantine calls.
"A lot of notes. Filling up a notebook. Just getting everything down. That's part of being a quarterback. Always learning."
That, evidently, is part of being a Manning.
