Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart Visits 5-Star QB Arch Manning in New Orleans

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Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart is getting a close-up look at one of the top prospects in the country. 

Smart went to see 5-star Newman (LA) QB Arch Manning‍ Friday night - a move that shows how serious the Bulldogs are about recruiting Manning, and likely an indication of just where the Bulldogs feel like they are Manning’s hierarchy of schools right now.

Insiders have felt like Kirby’s No. 1 Bulldogs have been fighting Texas more than any other program of late, but LSU’s dismissal of Ed Orgeron over the weekend may make things more complicated for everone involved. Ole Miss is also firmly in the mix, and Lane Kiffin is trying to work his magic this weekend in Oxford by painting the Rebels’ end zones with the last name “Manning” to pay tribute to both Eli and Archie Manning, but likely also as a recruiting device for the New Orleans junior. 

This season so far Manning has thrown for 1,177 yards, 16 touchdowns and a pick. Manning showed his wheels Friday night with a 68-yard touchdown run. He visited Athens for the Bulldogs’ lopsided win over South Carolina in September. Manning also visited the Bulldogs in the summer. 

Meanwhile, Kirby has been at the front of at least one of the Mannings’ mind - Peyton. The former Vol joked with Alabama coach Nick Saban about the time Saban was furious with Smart about a call he made while the trio was all in the NFL

“Coach I didn’t play against you in college - Eli did,” the older Manning said on ESPN2. “I played against you once when you were with the Dolphins. I have to tell you. I took great pride in throwing a couple of third-down completions, and watching you yell at Kirby Smart on the sidelines. I have to tell you… that was a big moment for me.”

Saban laughed along with the Manning brothers about the memory. 

“If we played anything against you two plays in a row,” the Alabama coach said. “It was like a death sentence. So we didn’t have enough coverages to play something different every time. So I remember in two minute right before the half we played a trap coverage the first time - had an incompletion. Played it the second time, and you threw a touchdown. Some of those things you never forget.”

Perhaps that’s because the touchdown was decisive in the Colts’ 27-22 win over Miami in Indianapolis. The game was Saban’s final one before taking the Alabama job days later. Meanwhile, the Colts went on to win Super Bowl XLI over the Bears. 

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