Arch Manning explains big reason why he didn't commit to Ole Miss, Georgia, or Alabama

Before Arch Manning committed to Texas, there were plenty of folks who thought he was destined to land with an SEC school. Ole Miss, his father's and grandparents' alma mater, along with Alabama and Georgia, were the presumed favorites. 

Even LSU, which offered close proximity to his hometown of New Orleans, was believed to have a shot at Manning (the program was going through a transition with Ed Orgeron on the way out during the most important stage of the recruiting process for Arch). 

Arch, however, opted to commit to a Big 12 school. 

On Saturday in New Orleans, ahead of the Longhorns' showdown with Washington in the Sugar Bowl, Arch met with reporters and he explained one of the biggest reasons he didn't end up at Ole Miss, Alabama, or Georgia. 

Note: Texas will become an SEC program in 2024. During Arch Manning's recruitment, it was expected that Texas (along with Oklahoma) would become a member of the SEC in 2025 -- Arch's third year in college. The timeline was moved up a year after Arch had already signed with the Longhorns. 

Arch Manning fell in love with the city of Austin

The former five-star recruit told reporters that the city of Austin was a big factor in his decision to sign with Texas. 

"I grew up watching the SEC, going to Ole Miss and LSU football games," said Arch on Saturday. "I'm excited to get to play in the SEC." 

"A lot of it (signing with Texas) is kind of based on football, but I think Austin, for me, was a good spot," continued Arch. "Just because I can kind of blend in a little more in a big city rather than Oxford, Athens, or Tuscaloosa where football is [at the] center. Texas, that's a place I'd want to go to college if I wasn't playing football."

"I don't know if I could get in," added a joking Arch. "But that's a place I'd want to be."

Arch also seemingly confirmed that Texas, Georgia, and Alabama were the three schools at the top of his list during his recruitment. 

"I'd always wanted to go to places like Texas and Georgia and Alabama, those were kind of the three places I wanted to be," said Arch. 

One of the big themes of Arch's media session on Saturday was his desire to just be a "normal football player" despite his famous last name. He's clearly not looking to capitalize on any of the benefits of his last name. Instead, he's trying to create his own legacy with the Manning name. 

And he'll certainly get that chance. Once he becomes "the guy" for Texas (which might not be until 2025 if Quinn Ewers returns for 2024), the attention will shift from Arch's famous last name to his play on the field. 

For now, though, that famous last name will remain the focal point until he finally gets his shot to lead the Texas offense.