Arch Manning will log his first start at Texas this weekend, but his legend began at the high school level, playing in New Orleans.
Where did Manning play high school football, and how did he rise to become one of the most recognizable names in college football?
Where Did Arch Manning Play in High School?
Manning played high school football at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans.
At Isidore Newman, his journey to follow in the footsteps of his uncles — NFL Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning — first began.
Arch was a four-year starter at the varsity level for Isidore Newman. As a mere freshman, he passed for 2,509 yards and 34 touchdowns, taking home MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors.
Multiple times across his sophomore and junior seasons, Manning threw as many as five touchdowns in only the first quarter and first half, asserting his dominance early over opposing teams.
In 2021, Manning passed for 1,841 yards, 26 touchdowns, and four interceptions and ran for six more scores. As a senior in 2022, he threw for 2,270 yards, 34 TDs, and just two interceptions in only 11 games.
Both of Arch’s uncles — Peyton and Eli — played at Isidore Newman High School when they were first ascending the ranks. Arch broke Eli’s career passing yardage record at the school, as well as Peyton’s career passing TDs record.
How Did Manning Become Texas’ Starting Quarterback?
As a result of both his production and his NFL pedigree, Arch was a consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. He was courted by dozens of teams, but he ultimately chose to sign with Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns.
In his first season, Manning preserved his redshirt as the team’s third string quarterback. But after Maalik Murphy’s transfer in the 2024 offseason, Manning was named the primary backup to incumbent starter Quinn Ewers.
Manning’s hype at the CFB level reached astronomical proportions by his arrival alone, and already, he’s expanded on that hype in 2024. He dominated in the Texas Longhorns’ spring game, and in limited action thus far, he’s thrived in Sarkisian’s offense.
Thus far in relief of Ewers in 2024, Manning has completed 14 of 18 pass attempts for 318 yards, five TDs, and zero INTs, and he’s also rushed for two additional scores.
Manning will make his first career start at the CFB level in Week 4 against UL Monroe, as Ewers will be out with an oblique injury. Sarkisian has reaffirmed that Ewers will return as the starter once he’s fully healthy, and he’ll assumedly be week-to-week after Week 4.
Nevertheless, Ewers’ injury gives Manning the opportunity to dazzle onlookers and CFB fans even more and add to his family’s legacy.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.