LSU Football: The latest Arch Manning news doesn’t make any sense

LSU Football is one of many programs hoping to land a commitment from 2023 five-star quarterback Arch Manning.

Manning, 6-foot-4/215 lbs from New Orleans, LA, is ranked in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.

Earlier this month, 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong suggested that Manning has a top four of Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas.

It turns out, Manning actually has a top six. Cooper Manning, Arch’s father, told 247Sports this week that LSU and Florida are also in the mix.

LSU football makes sense for Arch Manning; Florida doesn’t

When Wiltfong omitted LSU from Arch’s top schools, I assumed it was a mistake. The only program that has been ruled out has been Clemson (among the serious early contenders).

LSU is the hometown school. And the Tigers have a new coach. Of course they’d be included.

But Florida?

Now that makes no sense.

The Gators were a disaster last season. And they just hired a complete unknown in Billy Napier.

I can understand Arch not eliminating Texas, despite their struggles, thanks to his close relationship with Steve Sarkisian. But I don’t understand the inclusion of Florida.

We have no clue how Napier’s offense will work in the SEC. And it’s not like the Gators have a recent positive history of quarterback development.

What is the draw to Florida for Arch?

Maybe it’s Napier’s connection to Louisiana, via his time as the head coach at UL. Whatever it is, it doesn’t make sense. There’s no way Manning is going to land at Florida. And the fact he’s even considering them is beyond bizarre.

I still think it’ll be Alabama, LSU, or Ole Miss for Manning. He’s just doing his due diligence with these other programs. And that’s understandable. I just don’t know why he’s wasting time with Florida.