Florida making a move with 5-Star QB target Arch Manning

Just a few months ago, it looked like the clear-cut top target of the 2023 Texas football recruiting class, the elite five-star Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning, was already in the process of narrowing down his list of top schools. But trying to figure out which schools are technically still in play for Manning could be rendered useless until he officially announced a group of finalists himself.

Yet, it does look like there is a new school that is trying to make some headway at this point of the recruiting cycle with Manning. For the most part, it looks like they’re succeeding too.

We’re talking about the Florida Gators out of the SEC East as the school seemingly making a lot of headway of late with Manning.

According to a report from 247Sports this week (paid content), the Gators have joined a list of an apparent top six for Manning at this point of his recruitment. The other five schools that are reportedly topping the list of finalist schools for him right now are the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, and Texas.

Texas football QB target Arch Manning has Florida piquing his interest of late

This 247Sports report also notes that it looks like the three schools doing the best job connecting with Manning and his camp at this point are Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. But this was something that was at least partially known that Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, likely held a lead right now over the rest of the schools going after Manning.

Moreover, Florida and LSU are reportedly making some big moves of late with new coaching staffs in place to push for Manning. That was a known fact that new head coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers were making a big push of late to firmly insert themselves in the race to land a commitment from the Louisiana native.

But it also sounds like new head coach Billy Napier and the Gators have piqued the interest of the Manning camp too.

All in all, it’s too early to count out any of the top schools pursuing Manning at this moment. With Manning likely waiting until the fall to make an announcement, there’s a lot of time he has to ponder all options available to him.

You still have to give credit to second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns for remaining among the apparent top schools with Manning by now. Hanging with the likes of Alabama and Georgia is no easy feat, but Sark and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee are doing a great job making the right impression on Manning and his camp.

Texas also looks set to host Manning for a visit later this month as he goes on his round of spring trips with some of the schools he’s most interested in. That visit is likely to come during the final full weekend of the month, specifically on March 24.