Few players in the history of college football recruiting generated the buzz that Arch Manning did.
The prodigious quarterback was not only among the most sought-after player in his class, but also hails from one of the most prestigious families in all of football, regardless of level.
Having the same last name as Archie, Peyton and Eli has only created higher expectations for Arch, and he'll try to live up to the hype as the starting quarterback at Texas.
With that, The Sporting News takes a closer look at Arch Manning's family tree, including his relations to football legends Archie, Peyton and Eli.
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How is Arch Manning related to Peyton, Eli?
Arch Manning is the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning.
Arch's relation to his uncles is partly why he has so much hype on the recruiting trail. He will aim to follow in their footsteps: Both were college standouts (Peyton at Tennessee, Eli at Ole Miss) who went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft and win multiple Super Bowls.
Like his uncles before him, Arch was a standout quarterback at Isidore Newman High School (New Orleans). Also like his uncles, Arch was one of the top players available in the country; he was not only the top pro-style quarterback in the class of 2023, but also its No. 1 overall player per 247Sports' Composite rankings.
(247Sports did not have recruiting rankings prior to 2000, the year following Eli Manning's class; Peyton Manning was largely considered the top recruit of his class, though Eli held no such distinction).
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How is Arch Manning related to Archie Manning?
Arch Manning is the oldest grandson and second-oldest grandchild of Archie Manning, a legend for both Ole Miss and the New Orleans Saints. Archie Manning is the namesake to the latest Manning quarterback.
It's uncertain to what extent Archie has been involved with his grandson's development. That said, the patriarch of the Manning family told the Indianapolis Star in 2019 that his grandson, then a freshman at Isidore Newman, was "probably a little ahead of them as a freshman," referring to his own sons Peyton and Eli.
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Who are Arch Manning’s parents?
Arch Manning is the son of Cooper Manning — the son of Olivia and Archie Manning — and Ellen Heidingsfelder.
Cooper Manning was similarly touted as a football player as his younger brothers, eventually committing to play for Ole Miss like his father as a receiver. In the summer leading up to his freshman season, however, Cooper experienced numbness in his fingers and toes; he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which resulted in an immediate end to his playing career.
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How old is Arch Manning?
Multiple outlets list Arch Manning's birthday as May 19, 2005; that would make him 20 years old. He is eligible to enter the 2026 NFL Draft following his junior season in 2025.
MORE: When is Arch Manning eligible for the NFL Draft?