The 2022 Crimson Tide recruiting class is currently in Tuscaloosa, preparing for the upcoming college football season. Nick Saban’s dynasty at Alabama has been built from the recruiting trail, so the program is always considering what lies ahead.
Looking ahead to star players from the 2023 class, one stands high above the rest: five-star quarterback Arch Manning of Isidore Newman high school in New Orleans.
He comes from a family of star quarterbacks, whether it be his grandpa Archie or his uncles Peyton and Eli, Arch is set to be the next Manning to make headlines for his play on the field at the collegiate level. He’s already been doing it while in high school.
Blake Toppmeyer of USA TODAY Sports opines that Arch, who is supposedly considering Alabama, Texas, Georgia and other programs, may decide to look away from the Crimson Tide for a very specific reason.
“But Alabama is never about any one player, and Manning could have a great career and still not establish himself on a higher plane than Tagovailoa, Jones or Young,” writes Toppmeyer.
The argument against Alabama here is the constant production of star power. Manning could start as a true freshman and finish his collegiate career after his junior season and still not be talked about as the greatest Crimson Tide quarterback.
Toppmeyer believes he could be an absolute hero and star in Austin, Texas if he can revive the Longhorns.
“Texas, meanwhile, is coming off a 5-7 season. The Longhorns have never reached the College Football Playoff, and they’ve had just two quarterbacks drafted since Vince Young became a first-round pick in 2006. Not since Young has a Texas offensive player been drafted in the first round.
“What better way for Manning to escape the shadow of his grandfather and uncles than re-establishing Texas as a national power?”
There’s no indication that Manning is currently favoring one program over others, as he has kept very quiet overall.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to share updates regarding Manning’s 2023 recruitment and how it impacts the Crimson Tide.
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