One of the most-polarizing recruits in history, Arch Manning’s commitment was as sought after as his signature has been on his national letter of intent since committing to the Texas Longhorns earlier this year. Manning made it official on Wednesday, but it was a long time coming.
Arch Manning Signs With the Texas Longhorns
Archibald “Arch” Charles Manning first took the nation by storm at a Manning Passing Academy way back when. He further lit social media on fire with his highlights at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana.
He was long since seen as a high school prodigy and the “next Manning” to make waves at the quarterback position. And his high school tape backed up the lofty expectations and then some.
Manning finished the Class of 2023 with the top overall rating on the CFN Fusion recruiting rankings for the 2023 class. He was the top-ranked recruit on all but one of the major recruiting boards and dominated every camp, campus, practice, or workout he attended.
And on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, Manning made it official with his National Letter of Intent to play for the Longhorns.
Manning’s recruitment was highlighted with scholarship offers to seemingly every university. He narrowed his final list to top programs Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Oklahoma, USC, and LSU, among others. However, it was Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns that pulled away in June after three official visits: one to Texas, one to Alabama, and one to Georgia.
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The Longhorns were able to keep Manning committed all season long despite a 6-6 record and middling success in the Big 12. Their promise to join the SEC withstanding, the Longhorns are certainly more than a few pieces away from competing for conference championships in the near future, but that didn’t seem to affect Manning during the long haul.
“I think the great tradition and fanbase and everything about Texas football excited me,” Manning told 247Sports ahead of National Signing Day. “I’m glad I can one day be a part of it.”
With the ink dry, Manning is officially a part of that fanbase that drew him in originally. Manning is joined by a cast of highly-recruited players to make Texas’ recruiting class one of the best for the Class of 2023.
The Longhorns’ recruiting class currently ranks TK.
“I have a lot of trust in coach Sarkisian,” Manning said in the interview with 247. “I also like my signing class a lot. I think we’re going to finish out well and have a good class.”
Manning was right about that one.
