LSU Football: Arch Manning eliminated a big-time program this week

LSU football is still in the mix for 2023 five-star quarterback Arch Manning.

One program, however, that was thought to be one of Manning’s top choices is no longer in the running.

Sports Illustrated Clemson Tigers insider Jason Priester reported on Wednesday that Clemson is no longer in the running for Manning.

According to Priester, Manning informed the Clemson coaches of this development.

LSU football among several schools vying for Arch Manning

Priester reported that the programs still in the running for Manning are Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas.

I’m actually quite surprised Texas is still in the mix.

I know Manning has a good relationship with Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, but his first year in Austin didn’t exactly go well.

Texas went 5-7 in 2021, including a 57-56 home overtime loss to Kansas. The Longhorns lost six games in a row at one point this past season.

It was bad enough for Sarkisian that there were already rumors floating that Texas wanted to move on from the former USC head coach. That didn’t happen, but I think it shows that his future at Texas is uncertain at best.

I think this battle is going to come down to Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss. I know Georgia is coming off a win in the national championship game, but Kirby Smart isn’t exactly known for his quarterback development.

Ole Miss feels like the most likely destination. Manning grew up in an Ole Miss family. And the family seems to like Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (of course, who knows how long Kiffin will be in Oxford).

LSU is going to be in the mix until the end, though, thanks to the program’s proximity to Manning’s hometown of New Orleans.