Texas and Georgia are mentioned in reports I’ve seen as the front runners. What do they offer?
Texas has a coach in Sarkesian who apparently impressed Manning and family at his visit during the summer. Texas’ move to the SEC has to help. Austin as a location is a plus for a family like the Manning’s. As is the blue blood tradition of the Texas program. The question will be whether Texas gets it’s act together (o line weakness) quickly enough to project to the Manning’s that Arch can ride the rising tide there. Signs since the Arkansas debacle look good (for example, I am told that Texas’ now-starting qb leads the ncaa in qb rating. (Corral is 4th). Lotta reasons to argue “Texas isn’t back” and won’t be anytime soon, so I’m sure Manning’s are watching.
As for the UGA, there is likewise a lot of tradition to sell and elite status currently (assuming Georgia can score on good teams this year— Clemson game certainly raised questions about that). Athens is a huge plus too. And UGA being a traditional SEC power that has gotten close but not quite to the top is appealing, I’m sure. The pitch is “Arch, you are what puts us over the top” and that may well be true.