Marshall Manning’s first varsity snaps came with a spotlight most freshmen never see.
The Baylor School freshman quarterback - and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning - made his high school debut Friday night in a preseason scrimmage against defending national champion Buford (Georgia), giving fans an early look at the latest Manning to step onto a football field.
He checked in during the second quarter wearing No. 16, the same number Peyton wore at Tennessee. Manning did not complete a pass before later getting additional work with Baylor’s junior varsity team.
The stat line was light, but the setting was anything but. His first appearance arrived against a Buford team that entered the night chasing a second straight national title, a fitting first test for a quarterback whose every move figures to draw attention this season.
Baylor lost the scrimmage 20-13. Buford got touchdown passes from quarterback D.J.
Hunter to Ian Chafin, a rushing score from Arkansas commit Jameer Cantrell and another touchdown on a fumble return. Baylor’s biggest highlight came on a 54-yard touchdown run by five-star Tennessee commit David Gabriel Georges.
Still, the moment that will travel farthest was Manning in the No. 16 jersey.
That figure comes with the kind of family tree that makes any debut feel bigger. Peyton starred at Tennessee before becoming a five-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion.
Eli won two Super Bowls. Archie played 13 NFL seasons.
And Arch is now carrying the name at Texas. Marshall’s first varsity appearance added another branch to a family line that keeps reaching the game.
Manning, a Class of 2030 prospect, is set to begin the season behind senior Keegan Croucher, a four-star quarterback committed to Ole Miss. Baylor coach Erik Kimrey has said Manning will open his first year as the Red Raiders’ backup, giving him a year to develop away from the full glare of the spotlight.
Friday night was not about numbers or a highlight reel. It was simply the start of his varsity career, and it came with national interest attached to the name on the back of the jersey.
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