Mike Farrell, the “Godfather of Recruiting,” appeared on the Crain and Co. podcast to talk about Manning’s recruitment and future at the college level.
He believes that Arch Manning would be a 3-star prospect without the notable surname.
“If his name was Arch Smith, I think he’d be a high three-star quarterback. He plays a very low level of competition… He had a really good freshman season. I wouldn’t say regression, but he hasn’t progressed when he’s had to step up against other competition. Especially in the playoff game where he looked awful.
“The Manning name is important… (Arch is a) high three star if the last name is Smith… Every time I watch other quarterbacks in this class it knocks Arch down in my head.”
Arch Manning is a 5-star status and is widely considered to be the top player in the 2023 college football recruiting class. The No. 1 ranked prospect committed to Texas over the summer and is set to begin his career with the Longhorns in a little over a year.