It’s that time of year.
Thibodaux will again be the center of the quarterback universe next weekend as the Manning Passing Academy kicks off at Nicholls State University on June 26.
The 29th edition of prestigious camp will be the biggest ever, with a record 1,450 campers and 44 of the nation’s top collegiate quarterbacks, including 11 of the projected starters in the SEC.
“We’ve got another great group coming in,” said Archie Manning, who spearheads the recruitment of the college quarterbacks to the camp. “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.”
Among the headliners this year are Arch Manning, the third generation of the camp’s namesakes, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers.
The college quarterback group includes seven of the top 10 quarterback prospects in Pro Football Focus’ 2026 NFL Draft rankings, although it’s possible that Manning will bypass next year’s draft and stay at Texas for another year. Other projected first rounders are Nussmeier, the son of Saints offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, and Sellers.
Two other projected first-round quarterbacks, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, were scheduled to attend but recently informed MPA officials they will not make the camp because of schedule conflicts.
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, who transferred from Tulane this offseason, is also scheduled to be in attendance. It will be his first local appearance since he left Tulane in December.
Nussmeier and Klubnik are among 13 quarterbacks making return appearances at the MPA.
The highlight of the week again will be the Friday Night Lites competition, pitting the college quarterbacks in a series of skill competitions. The event begins at 8 p.m. at Guidry Stadium.
As usual, the camp will feature several high-profile guests, including former CBS college football analyst Todd Blackledge, former ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay and former Carolina Panthers tight ends Wesley Walls and Greg Olsen, who is bringing his son, T.J.
A couple of special guests will work at the MPA this year.
Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden will speak to the campers and coach them on the field, Manning said. Gruden has not coached since being fired by the Raiders in 2021. He served as a consultant with the Saints in 2023.
Tyler Shough is also expected to work the camp, albeit in an unknown capacity. The Saints rookie attended the 2023 MPA and asked Archie Manning if he could work it this year, while staying in New Orleans for the offseason.
“I’ll find something for him to do,” Manning quipped. “The only difference is this time we’ll give him an upgrade. He won’t have to sleep in the dorms or make the sheets in his bed. But he still gets just $300 a day, just like everyone else.”
The full list of Manning Passing Academy counselor attendees:
Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Spencer Arceneaux, West Alabama
C.J. Bailey, North Carolina State
Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Braylon Braxton, Southern Miss
Carson Camp Southeastern Louisiana
Jalon Daniels, Kansas
Braden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Deuce Hogan, Nichols State
Walker Howard, ULL
Kevin Jennings, SMU
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Grant Jordan, UMass
Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Gio Lopez, North Carolina
Arch Manning, Texas
John Mateer, Oklahoma
Darian Mensah, Duke
Chandler Morris, Virginia
Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Miller Moss, Louisville
Austin Novosad, Oregon
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Beau Pribula, Missouri
Drew Pyne, Bowling Green
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Grayson Saunier, Dartmouth
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
Austin Simmons, Ole Miss
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Nick Vattiato, Middle Tennessee
Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic
Conner Weigman, Houston
Desmond Williams Jr., Washington
Gavin Wimsatt, Jacksonville State