Quarterback Kingdom: Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier Headline Elite Roster at 2025 Manning Passing Academy
Thibodaux Becomes the Center of the Football Universe as 44 Top QBs Gather at Nicholls State for the Nation’s Premier Passing Camp
Thibodaux, Louisiana — the quiet college town nestled along the Bayou Lafourche — will once again become the heart of quarterback development as the 29th Manning Passing Academy officially kicks off June 26 at Nicholls State University.
This year’s edition isn’t just big. It’s record-breaking.
A staggering 1,450 high school campers will descend on the South Louisiana campus to be mentored, coached, and inspired by 44 of the top college quarterbacks in the country — the largest and most competitive lineup in the camp’s nearly three-decade history.
“We’ve got another great group coming in,” said Archie Manning, the patriarch of football’s most famous family and founder of the academy. “We had such great demand that we couldn’t take all of the quarterbacks that wanted to come. That’s a good problem to have.”
But make no mistake: this is more than just a camp — it’s a preview of future NFL greatness.
Star-Studded Cast Led by Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier
Headlining this year’s quarterback roster is none other than Arch Manning, the third-generation phenom and Texas Longhorn who continues to carry the weight of a legendary last name with poise and precision. Alongside him will be LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, a rising star and son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who is already drawing early-round NFL Draft projections for 2026.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers also headline a counselor group that includes seven of the top 10 quarterback prospects in Pro Football Focus’ 2026 NFL Draft rankings.
While Arch Manning may choose to delay his NFL jump and remain in Austin beyond 2025, others like Nussmeier and Sellers are already generating first-round buzz. This camp offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how these quarterbacks train, think, and compete.
Notable Absences and First-Time Faces
Though originally scheduled to attend, top quarterback prospects Drew Allar (Penn State) and Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) have pulled out due to scheduling conflicts. But that hasn’t dimmed the shine of the 2025 camp.
One name creating buzz is Darian Mensah, the Duke quarterback who recently transferred from Tulane. His return to Louisiana marks his first local appearance since December and adds even more SEC flavor to the event.
Three quarterbacks from in-state Louisiana programs — Carson Camp (Southeastern Louisiana), Deuce Hogan (Nicholls State), and Walker Howard (ULL) — will also serve as counselors, showcasing the depth of Louisiana talent on home turf.
The Main Event: Friday Night Lites Returns
Back by popular demand, the Friday Night Lites competition is set for 8 p.m. at Guidry Stadium and promises to be the highlight of the week.
This skills showdown pits college quarterbacks against each other in high-intensity drills, accuracy contests, and arm-strength showcases in front of thousands of fans and NFL scouts. It’s where reputations are made and draft stocks quietly rise.
Last year’s Friday Night Lites drew scouts from nearly every NFL team — and with the star power on display this year, that number could grow.
VIP Guests Bring NFL Flavor
Adding even more prestige to the camp, the 2025 MPA will welcome several high-profile figures from the football world:
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Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach and 2023 Saints consultant, will address campers and assist with on-field instruction.
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Todd Blackledge and Todd McShay, former analysts for CBS and ESPN respectively, will offer insights on development, evaluation, and the road to the NFL.
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Wesley Walls and Greg Olsen, former NFL tight ends, will join the camp — with Olsen bringing his son T.J. for the experience.
Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who attended the 2023 MPA, will also return in a special capacity, fulfilling a promise he made to Archie Manning. “He won’t have to make the bed this time,” Manning joked. “But he still only gets $300 a day like the rest.”
Counselor Lineup: A Glimpse Into the Future
The list of quarterbacks attending reads like a who’s who of college football’s present — and the NFL’s future:
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Arch Manning (Texas)
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Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
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Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
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LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
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Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
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Ty Simpson (Alabama)
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Gunner Stockton (Georgia)
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Darian Mensah (Duke)
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Walker Howard (ULL)
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Carson Camp (Southeastern Louisiana)
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Deuce Hogan (Nicholls State)
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…and 30+ more QBs from Power Five and Group of Five programs.
With 11 of the SEC’s projected 2025 starting quarterbacks in attendance, the Manning Passing Academy is once again the epicenter of college football’s quarterback revolution.
Final Word: All Eyes on Thibodaux
As the 2025 college football season looms, the Manning Passing Academy offers not just a summer showcase — but a strategic glimpse into the future of the sport.
From Arch Manning’s ongoing rise, to Nussmeier’s draft momentum, to a camp filled with rising stars from across the nation, Thibodaux is about to become the stage where legacies are forged and greatness is refined.
Stay locked in to TrendySoccerNews.com for daily updates, exclusive interviews, and post-camp analysis from the 2025 Manning Passing Academy.
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