The Arch Manning watch just got a bit more interesting.
Per Jacquie Franciulli of 247Sports, the five-star quarterback recruit is making an unexpected visit to Virginia’s campus on Friday.
Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Ole Miss were believed to be on the high school prodigy’s short list of destinations. As a result, this trip has fans wondering if that’s changed.
Playing for the Cavaliers would certainly be a stunner. UVA hasn’t began a season nationally ranked since opening 2005 as No. 25, and they’ve won one bowl game over the last 16 years.
As The Ringer’s Kevin Clark sarcastically quipped, the ACC isn’t Manning’s anticipated landing spot.
The ACC Coastal is, as ever, the center of the football universe. Arch wants to compete. https://t.co/32lV5CjY8D
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 8, 2022
Twitter users were quick to point out the family connections that likely led to Manning’s appearances.
Arch has a few ties to UVA including his sister May, who is a student at Virginia.
His uncle Peyton also gave the Valedictory Address in 2014. https://t.co/weTRcHW2ME
— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) April 8, 2022
The Hoos landing Arch Manning, the top recruit in the country, is a VERY long shot — but a recruit of Arch’s caliber even considering UVA is a great sign for the new coaching regime.
FWIW, the Manning family has some UVA ties: Peyton’s wife, Ashley, got her degree at Virginia. https://t.co/s5t72bMVxR
— Ben Wieland (@BenWieland) April 8, 2022
His uncle Peyton loved Virginia and almost ended up there before Tennessee locked him in. https://t.co/0CyPjTG3Wp
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) April 8, 2022
While Virginia is still highly unlikely to snag the nation’s top prospect, some see his mere presence as a huge positive for first-year head coach Tony Elliott.
If this is true, the fact that he is setting foot in Charlottesville is a massive W for Tony Elliott and #UVA https://t.co/2QTes7yxb7
— Matt Newton (@mattynewtss) April 8, 2022
It’s an honor to even get a visit https://t.co/u5SQhhvEKu
— The Superhoo (@The_Superhoo) April 8, 2022
Defensive end Chris Long rolled out the red carpet on behalf of his alma mater.
https://t.co/eHQuy41Nbb pic.twitter.com/jJV7adhdoy
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) April 8, 2022
A campus tour doesn’t necessarily mean Manning is seriously considering Virginia. Yet that likely wasn’t even a possibility anyone contemplated beforehand.
Even if it remains a long shot, fans now at least have a slither of hope.
The post Arch Manning Taking Interesting Visit: Fans React appeared first on The Spun.