Auburn ex-portal targets highlight Manning Passing Academy QBs

Several former Auburn football transfer portal targets will be among the quarterbacks headlining the annual Manning Passing Academy, which is set to take place June 22 – June 25 at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Among them are Kentucky’s Devin Leary, who defected from North Carolina State, and Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall, who withdrew his name from the portal and returned to Conway, South Carolina for a fifth season. Archie Manning, the organizer of the annual offensive-oriented football camp, lauded this year’s group while speaking with NOLA.com.

“We’ve still got an outstanding group,” Manning said. “I’ve had more requests to attend the camp than I’ve ever had. I wish I could invite them all. We’ll never have a shortage of quarterbacks.”

Per the Manning Passing Academy’s official website, the camp is open to more than just QBs:

“For over 25 years, the Manning Passing Academy has been helping players fully realize their potential on and off of the football field. Whether you’re a QB, RB, WR, or TE, the Manning Passing Academy will help you grasp the fundamentals of your position, and basic offensive and defensive strategies.”

Alabama, Auburn football QBs missing at Manning Passing Academy while other in-state schools represented

One of the most glaring observations a Yellowhammer State football fan can make is that the Alabama and Auburn football programs are both missing from the 2023 Manning Passing Academy guestlist. Perhaps what makes that fact most glaring is that Group of Five school South Alabama (Carter Bradley) and FCS Samford (Michael Hiers) will both be in attendance. The last time AU had a representative was in 2021 with Bo Nix, while Alabama alumni Bryce Young was present this year and last.

On the Plains, it’ll be on Payton Thorne’s mission in 2023 to prove that the Manning Passing Academy isn’t a prerequisite to success in the SEC. Tyler Buchner has that same goal in Tuscaloosa.