20 most hyped college football recruits of all-time
By Dustin Hull
4. Peyton Manning
Being the son of an SEC legend and two-time Pro Bowl selection naturally brought some hype toward Peyton Manning. But the talents he showed at an extremely early age were what grew his legend long before he even stepped into Neyland Stadium.
Manning was never gifted with speed or agility, we can clearly see that, but he had long had the golden arm and a thirst for knowledge like no other competitor his coaches had ever known. That immense understanding of the game at an early age helped lead him to becoming the recruit everyone was talking about in 1994.
For a time, Manning considered going to Michigan, and how funny it would’ve been with Manning at quarterback in Ann Arbor with Tom Brady ready in the wings. Manning was certainly impressed when he took a visit to Michigan, and his own brother Cooper thought he very well could’ve picked the Wolverines.
Instead, Manning chose Tennessee, and the college football world was in a buzz over another Manning coming to the SEC. He’d do plenty of good there though his real imprint on the game would come after he left Knoxville. Either way, he always faced away from the hype but more than lived up to it.
Next: Marcus Dupree