PASSING GRADE: Campers get top-notch football education at Manning Academy

Offseason training drills amidst scorching July temperatures wouldn’t appeal to most high school football players.

In terms of popularity, it would rank alongside yard work, summer school and trips to the dentist.

When said drills are being conducted alongside Peyton and Eli Manning, however, it becomes an experience of a lifetime.

More than 1,200 high school football players from across the United States and Canada took part in the Manning Passing Academy, which concluded Sunday at Nicholls State University’s John L. Guidry Stadium.

&#8220One of the best things about this camp is being around kids who are excited about football,” Peyton Manning said. &#8220It makes you feel lucky to still be playing football.”

&#8220Lucky” is a word that could also describe the feeling of the campers.

Quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers seemed enthralled to be learning the finer points of the game from an all-star lineup that annually draws NFL greats like Marvin Harrison, Phillip Rivers and Jake Delhomme and a slew of collegiate standouts like LSU receiver Early Doucet.

&#8220It’s fun,” Doucet said. &#8220I enjoy coming back (to the academy) and working with the young kids. Anything I learned to become a better player that I can give to those kids is always good.”

That’s always the purpose. Players and coaches come together each year to share their collective knowledge of what it takes to run efficient offenses, something Peyton considers to be lacking at the prep level.

This knowledge is continually reinforced throughout the three-day academy.

&#8220I would have loved to attend a camp like this when I was in high school,” said Washington State quarterback Alex Brink, a third-year counselor. &#8220The kids get in so many reps in so many drills. The amount of work you complete in such a short amount of time really helps, and the experience of learning from college and professional coaches and players gives them a different perspective that they wouldn’t get from any other camp.”

And that’s why teens trek thousands of miles to attend.

Daniel Hope of Elkhart, Texas, gives his full endorsement of the camp.

&#8220It’s awesome,” he said. &#8220It’s the best camp I’ve ever been to.”

Bryant Baucum, a high school freshman from Vaughan, Miss., registered for the camp in October to ensure a spot.

The grin sprawled across his face indicated it was well-worth the early preparation.

&#8220I’ve definitely been looking forward to coming,” he said. &#8220This is the best of the best. I’ll definitely be coming here for the next four summers.”

* The newly-installed AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3-D playing surface at Guidry Stadium was dedicated to Archie Manning and renamed &#8220Manning Field” at a special ceremony that was held Friday.

The former Saints quarterback and current spokesperson for General Sports Venue requested that the playing surface be donated to the university earlier this year.

High school football players from across the country received expert instruction at the Manning Passing Academy, which was held Thursday through Sunday at Nicholls State University’s John L. Guidry Stadium.

• Photo by DOUG KEESE (NSU)

Doug Keese