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LSU football fans around the country want senior quarterback Danny Etling to be a giant in 2017 – the type of guy capable of consistently beating SEC defenses and leading the Tigers into the promised land of college football.
But this past weekend, Etling met his match and cracked under the pressure. He lost his tough-guy SEC quarterback aura for a few days and became a kid again while studying under the guy he called his hero, former Colts and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
He wasn’t alone.
Dozens of the nation’s top did the same at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux.
Indeed, emotions and adrenaline run high among the camp’s counselors as they get to soak in the knowledge they learn from Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Archie Manning and others at the multi-day camp, which has called Nicholls State University home for the past several seasons.
For Etling and others, the entire thing is surreal – an experience which is literally priceless for anyone who plays the position.
“Peyton is my like my hero,” Etling said. “I grew up playing the position always wanting to be just like him. To be able to see how he handles his business and how he does things, it’s invaluable. It’s something that you just sit quietly, pay attention to and then try and put into your own routine in the future.”
For Etling and the other quarterbacks, they’re also sharing some of their own knowledge at the camp, as well.
Because of the sheer size of the Manning Passing Academy, the Manning family summons help from colleges around the country, asking their quarterbacks, many of whom attended the camp as pupils, to attend the camp as counselors.
In that role, the college quarterbacks are teachers for the week, working in small groups with the campers to try and teach them the proper footwork and passing techniques they need to become better players in the future.
“It’s great. The energy and vibe is awesome,” Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen said. “I think the thing about quarterbacks is it’s all like a big fraternity. You meet other people who play the position and you become friends with them and everyone sort of stays together. I enjoy being able to give back what I know. It’s a great thing.”
But for every piece of knowledge the counselors give out, they soak in an equal amount – especially from the Manning family.
Archie, Peyton and Eli are not bystanders during the week of the camp.
They roam the grounds throughout the week and take a hands-on approach to teaching – often throwing hundreds of passes in each day to demonstrate to groups how to utilize the proper footwork and technique in a drop-back.
When those moments happen, the counselors are still technically teachers at the camp, yes.
But they all admit that the roles shift a little bit and they become understudies, as well – attempting to learn from the first family of the quarterback position.
“I think it goes without saying … we all stop what we’re doing and pay close attention to the things they’re telling everyone to do,” USC quarterback Sam Darnold said. “What would you not? Peyton Manning is maybe the best quarterback to ever play the game. Eli Manning is a multi-time Super Bowl Champion. Archie Manning is one of those guys who helped evolve our position. I think it’d be foolish to not want to be a part of learning from them.”
“I think it’s amazing,” Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts added. “It’s like you say to yourself, ‘Where else in the world can you get something like this?’ You watch these guys on TV making plays and now you get a chance to pick their brain. And they’re great. They’re always willing to help and answer questions. It’s just a great thing.”
But the counselors said they learn from one another, too.
Darnold said he watches a lot of college football – even if just on DVR during the weeks of the season.
He said he is always studying how other guys play the position in hopes of finding something he can maybe put into his own game to improve.
At the Manning Passing Academy, Darnold said he’s doing the same thing, while also making connections with some of the top players in the country.
Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee said he’s doing the same, adding that he’s made friendships with guys at the camp which will last a lifetime.
“We swap numbers and shoot one another text messages throughout the season,” he said. “We root for one another or joke around with each other throughout the year. I think that’s the fun part about this. We all have one another’s backs and we all want everyone else to succeed and play the position well – except in games we face off against one another, of course.”
For Etling, he said he’s just happy to be back on a football field again after a little time away.
The Tigers quarterback underwent back surgery after spring practices – an operation aimed at fixing a problem that Etling said caused him severe pain throughout last season.
He said he’s not yet 100 percent healthy but he will be before fall camp rolls around.
Etling added that he feels as good as he has in years and he hopes the camp will give him a little extra knowledge he can use to try and lead the Tigers to the top.
“I feel great,” Etling said. “I had the surgery and I feel great. I’m excited about our team and I think we’re all ready to get to work together and begin the chase.”
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