When high school quarterback Arch Manning committed to the Texas Longhorns in 2022, it shocked the college football world. The third-generation member of SEC royalty was expected to go to an old school conference program. He was heavily recruited by Georgia, Alabama, LSU and had family ties to Ole Miss and Tennessee. In the end, he chose to go to new SEC member Texas.
It was an incredible recruiting coup for Steve Sarkisian and ranks in the top three in Texas history, along with Chris Simms and Vince Young. Sark and Texas fans hope the culmination of the Manning recruitment is the 2026 national title. Either way, Sark must think of the future beyond Arch. He has to think beyond current backups KJ Lacey and Dia Bell for that matter. Even past QB commit Ty Knutson, if the Elite 11 invitee ends up on the Forty Acres.
Which brings us to Arch’s little cousin Marshall, the son of Uncle Peyton Manning. Marshall posted an Instagram video today of him working out with lead QB Country trainer Reese Phillips. QB Country is a leading quarterback prep/guru service and has worked with Arch, Patriots QB Drake Maye, Broncos QB Box Nix and Colts QB Daniel Jones. Phillips is a former Kentucky quarterback.
Marshall will be in the 2030 recruiting class (unless he reclassifies at some point) and will be an eighth grader in the fall. But if you watch the video, he looks like he could help a college team right now. His form and arm strength look like a high school senior, rather than a seventh grader. He was scrambling well, moving around inside and outside of the pocket.
“We can’t control the noise. We can only control the work!” – Marshall Manning
Arch was incredibly guarded about his recruitment. There were barely rumors surrounding Manning, who wasn’t even on social media at the time. In fact, Arch’s very first Tweet was his commitment to Texas.
The lack of rumors, statements or leaks was a planned strategy by the Manning family and will assuredly be adopted by Marshall and his dad Peyton.
Of course, Marshall’s closest ties are to Tennessee, where Peyton is a living Volunteers legend. Marshall’s uncle Eli and grandfather Archie both went to Ole Miss. But if he’s like Arch, Marshall will walk his own path. Neither the Vols or Rebels were in Arch’s final list.
It will be a few years before Marshall’s recruitment hits high gear, but it won’t be that long. Sarkisian is currently assembling the 2027 recruiting class and is working hard on the 2028 class. 2030 isn’t too far off.
Will Sark recruit Marshall? It’s hard to fathom Sarkisian not trying and trying hard. He’ll probably have the help of Arch, then an NFL Pro.
But if Arch’s recruiting path is the model, we won’t get much in the way of hard information until sometime in 2028 or 2029 when Marshall commits.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Will Texas recruit Arch Manning’s cousin, Peyton’s son Marshall?
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
