Archie Manning can be described as a little bit old school in his approach. The former New Orleans Saints quarterback still makes personal phone calls to invite the top players in the country to be counselors at The Manning Passing Academy each year.
“I just feel really fortunate that they want to come… I credit all the people who work so hard at our camp to make it successful so that they want to come,” Manning said of the opportunity to call and invite each counselor.
The MPA, which dates back to 1996, allows high school quarterbacks to get schooling from some of the top quarterbacks across the country.
The event always has an emphasis on quarterbacks with Louisiana connections, and this year was no exception. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was there and got the chance to talk about how a family tie to the Mannings makes this event special to him.
“My dad played with Peyton, and he has known Mr. Archie for a long time, and so I have a really good relationship with Arch. Being able to pick their brains, getting to talk to Peyton and Eli about different things, those are guys I looked up to when I was young,” Nussmeier said.
Another player with Louisiana ties who attended is now-Ragin’ Cajun Walker Howard. Howard, the St. Thomas More product, started his career at LSU before transferring to Ole Miss. Coming back to Acadiana to play for the Cajuns, however, has Walker feeling at home.
“I love being home and being with my family… Our team is going to be really good this year. I’m excited,” Howard added.
While “The Boot” is well-represented, the MPA brings in quarterbacks from all different areas of the country. John Mateer transferred to the Oklahoma Sooners after previously being at Washington State. The event was quite unique from his perspective.
“It has been a little surreal. I have never been a part of anything like this. I didn’t go to Elite 11… Being here with all these great quarterbacks and these geniuses of the game of football is awesome,” Mateer said about the experience.
Throughout the week, the counselors have an interesting opportunity to both give and receive feedback. While they are out at the camp helping the high schoolers, they also get to be around each other and be around the Mannings. That made this a no-brainer for Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
“I’m super blessed to be here. To be able to help the kids and also pick the Manning’s brains, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Williams said of the camp.
The event wraps up on Sunday with the last day of camp taking place then.