Any way you cut it, Arch Manning hit with a cheap shot

By Ed Daniels, Sports

It was a cheap shot against a high school football player, albeit one with a famous last name.

“If (Arch Manning) were Arch Smith, he would probably be a high, three-star player,” said Mike Farrell, a former national recruiting director at the website rivals.com.

Arch Manning didn’t deserve that.

And, the follow-up. Farrell said Manning had not “progressed.” The comments, made on the show “Crain and Company,” were picked up by websites throughout Louisiana. Those remarks can be easily found on youtube.com.

Anything for clicks, I guess, even if it takes apart a young man who has handled himself with dignity and class in as high profile a situation as any college football recruit has ever faced, ever.

When Manning committed to the University of Texas this summer, he posted his commitment on social media – and then went silent.

No hoopla, or fanfare. He did no interviews and hasn’t since. It was classy.

Too bad some adults can’t rise to the same level.

The idea that Manning hasn’t progressed since his freshman season is utterly ridiculous. This offseason, Arch Manning’s passes have more zip on them than ever. He has filled out considerably in his 6-4 frame.

The idea that Manning hasn’t played his best against great competition shows a true lack of understanding. Newman’s three losses in 2022 were to Division III champion St. Charles Catholic; to the team St. Charles Catholic beat in the finals, Lafayette Christian; and to Berkeley Prep in Florida, who reached the class 3A championship game.

All are stellar football programs.

If the individual who ripped Arch had done his homework, he would know that neither of Manning’s famous uncles, Peyton and Eli, won state football championships at Isidore Newman School. The uncles have four Super Bowl rings.

At St. Aug, Leonard Fournette didn’t win a state championship. He won his first Super Bowl ring in February.

At O. Perry Walker in the ’90s, Herb Tyler did everything he could to lead his Chargers deep into the playoffs. Tyler was incredibly talented. So much so that as a 5-9 true freshman, Tyler stepped in at LSU and played superbly. In a stretch of 31 games as a starter, Tyler won 26.

Herb Tyler was an outstanding player, on a very good but not a championship LSU team. There’s no disgrace in that. It is a tremendous accomplishment.

Will Arch Manning achieve anywhere near the level of his uncles or his famous grandfather? Who knows?

But, there’s a lot to like about a young man who literally has the world at his feet but instead has decided to keep quiet and let his play do the talking.

Texas is getting a gem, despite what some so-called recruiting guru might believe.

Ed Daniels is sports director at ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].