On3 now views Texas as the favorite to land five-star QB Arch Manning

Texas is back in the driver’s seat for Arch Manning.

In what has been a very back and forth recruiting battle between some of the nation’s top blue bloods, Texas has taken the lead in the race for Arch Manning.

The five-star prospect and No. 1 overall recruit according to every major recruiting outlet has been conducting one of the quietest and most mysterious recruitments we have seen in a while.

However, every once in a while something squeaks through the cracks to provide enough information that influences where experts think he will attend. While it has flip flopped from Texas to Alabama, according to On3 it has changed to Texas again.

Even with reports stating that other schools such as Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida are trying to get in the mix, it is believed to solely be a three-team battle between Texas, Georgia, and Alabama.

Alabama has descended from the top spot to third for Manning, but that seems to be because they have become the overwhelming favorite to land four-star Eli Holstein who recently decommitted from Texas A&M.

Here is what On3’s Chad Simmons is hearing when it comes to the recruitment of Manning.

Depending on who you talk to, you hear it is a different two schools at the top. The school I have heard the most about consistently is Alabama with Bill O’Brien being the leader in Manning’s recruitment. Not far behind though is his connection with Steve Sarkisian of Texas and Buster Faulkner at Georgia.

Schools like Florida, LSU and Ole Miss have tried to stay in this race. But it is a three-team race. The question now is, when will Manning make his decision?

If the Longhorns can add Manning to their 2023 class, high level talent would surely follow. In order to stand out as the frontrunner and add Manning, it will likely come down to Texas showing improvement in the upcoming season, especially after the dreadful 5-7 season in 2021.