Oh no! There’s some bad news for Arch Manning’s fans. The 2024 Manning Passing Academy Standouts list is here. And guess what? Your favorite Arch’s name is missing from the list of 12 players. Even though the Texas Longhorns quarterback got unlucky in earning himself a spot, his teammate Quinn Ewers and Oklahoma Sooners QB Jackson Arnold stole the show.

Being the nephew of the stalwarts Peyton and Eli Manning, the QB’s talent failed to leave a mark in the long run. But worry not! Instead of brooding over this loss, Arch is up to something better.    

Ewers and Arnold hit the target while Arch falls behind in the race

At this year’s Manning Passing Academy, around 50 top QBs of the nation took the field for the multi-day clinic, and out of them, only 12 were honored as the event’s best. The Longhorns QB, Ewers, was “among the best by routinely hitting on timing throws,” a superpower that will propel Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood’s offense this season. Last year, too, he got lucky to get nominated among the 2023 Manning Passing Academy standouts, which was the first time for Arnold. Meanwhile, being the latest torchbearer of the Manning family, fans were hoping to witness Arch make a debut in the list. But destiny had some other plans for the 19-year-old. 

By getting overshadowed, Arch at least got to quash his tag as the beneficiary of nepotism. It further confirms that the Manning Passing Academy awards are driven only by real talent, not family names. However, Manning remains unfazed by not making the cut and has dedicated himself to a journey to enhance his oomph factor now that only eight weeks are left for the college football season to hit the ground.  

Arch’s effort to refine his physical and mental abilities

Who else to go for advice when the best talents run in his family? To prep himself up, Arch is counting on his uncle Peyton. Even though he has limited playtime on the field, the Longhorns QB stayed loyal to Sarkisian’s team for the 2024 season. As Ewers returns, Arch is responsible for acting as his backup. While he knows he will not overpower Ewers in the limelight, it does not stop Arch from keeping himself in peak condition. 

As CJ Vogel, a Texas insider, shared a clip on social media, the 19-year-old QB has been spotted putting his heart into training at his uncle and 2x Suoer Bowl champ Peyton’s camp at the Thibodaux Academy. He has been seen going through multiple drills with Peyton and applying the legend’s inputs to rev up his passing prowess. 

Amidst physically prepping himself up, Arch focuses on mental readiness for an “anything-can-happen” situation. “I feel like I’m getting better everyday. Just trying to stay ready. Anything can happen. I’m excited and I’m gonna be ready,” claimed the 19-year-old. While he is aware of the long wait for his chance at being the QB of his team, Arch’s patience and focus help him invest in the present.