Arch Manning“s recruitment has been a hot topic, and his high school coach, Nelson Stewart, recently shared his perspective on the matter. Speaking with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stewart expressed certainty about Manning fitting into the red and black of Georgia. “Oh, yeah, 100%,” he said.
Stewart, now coaching at Westminster, previously led the program at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, where Manning honed his skills. This school is notably the same institution that produced NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, along with their father, Cooper Manning. Stewart”s familiarity with the Manning family runs deep, as he was also a teammate of Peyton and Cooper during his own time at Isidore Newman.
During Manning”s recruitment, Stewart played a crucial role in managing the pressures surrounding the top prospect in the 2023 class. While many viewed Georgia, Alabama, and Texas as potential landing spots, Stewart had a different take. “A lot of people felt like that was kind of the odds-on favorite of where he was going to go in our discussions,” he remarked.
The appeal of Georgia was clear, especially following its back-to-back national championships in 2022. The coaching prowess of then-offensive coordinator Todd Monken and head coach Kirby Smart added to the allure. With Stetson Bennett graduating, Manning would have had the chance to compete immediately for the starting quarterback position.
Stewart noted that Manning had developed a strong rapport with Smart, stating, “I really tried to let him make his own decisions. But I will say that, just from a peripheral, I think that Todd Monken and (then-analyst) Buster Faulkner, they recruited him very hard. They did a great job.” Ultimately, Manning chose Texas, where he is now a key player as the Longhorns prepare to face the Bulldogs.
As Manning gears up for this highly anticipated matchup, one can”t help but wonder how things could have unfolded differently had he chosen Georgia. He would have joined a competitive quarterback group alongside Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, and Gunner Stockton. Could he have secured the starting role as a freshman? Would he have had to wait like Quinn Ewers at Texas? The questions linger.
Smart reflected on Manning”s attributes, indicating that his athleticism, intelligence, and composure set him apart. He recalled showing up unannounced at one of Manning”s games, highlighting the importance of establishing a strong connection with the recruit. Stewart mentioned that Cooper Manning was impressed with the efficiency of Smart”s practices and the program”s overall operations.
Although the recruitment did not result in Manning joining Georgia, both Texas and Georgia have seen success since. Manning”s performance has improved with each game as Texas”s starting quarterback. Smart acknowledged this growth, noting, “He”s extending plays, he”s doing really well with scrambles, keeps his eyes downfield, doesn”t look at the rush.” Meanwhile, Stockton has emerged as a significant player for Georgia, with teammates expressing their confidence in him as a leader.
As the Longhorns prepare to face the Bulldogs, Georgia fans will have the opportunity to see Manning in action, albeit in a different uniform than they had hoped. The excitement surrounding this matchup promises to deliver a thrilling game, leaving fans curious about the outcomes and performances of both quarterbacks.
