Arch Manning recruiting predictions: These 7 schools hold an early lead

Arch Manning could join the dark side playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

There is only one school Arch Manning could commit to play his college football to and have every one of his friends and family members resent him forever. What team do fans of Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU all hate? Oh, without question it’s the college football Death Star that is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Would he really go play for Nick Saban?

Ole Miss and LSU are SEC West rivals of Alabama. Tennessee’s cross-divisional rival is Alabama. Uncle Peyton remembers many Third Saturdays in October. It’d be a shame to see Arch light up a victory cigar in crimson as opposed to in orange. It would look weirder than Butch Jones having a victory stogie as a Saban offensive analyst for the seventh year in a row, wouldn’t it?

To play for a program like Alabama means Manning is serious about playing in the College Football Playoff, something Ole Miss and Tennessee have absolutely no clue about what that’s about. Manning would be surrounded by more football talent than he would at most schools. You can never put a price on having five five-star offensive linemen protecting you at all costs.

Though the allure of playing for Alabama is there, Saban may not be when Manning puts pen to paper. Saban will be in his early 70s by the time Manning begins playing college ball. Depending on who his successor is, Manning could consider Alabama or not at all. If it’s someone like Pruitt or a Dabo Swinney, Alabama would have to be a dark horse contender for his commitment.