The Manning Passing Academy (MPA) has long been considered one of the top instructional football camps in the country. Now celebrating its 30th year, the MPA keeps finding ways to develop young athletes, offering high-level instruction and sparking a deeper love for the game.
This summer, more than 1,400 high school quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers will head to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, from June 25-28. The camp’s mission? It’s simple—make football more fun for young players and teach them a few life lessons along the way.
The Evolution of the Manning Passing Academy
Back in 1996, the camp started with just 185 campers at Tulane University. Since then, it’s ballooned to over 1,400 participants each year, which is pretty wild if you think about it.
The Manning family’s steady commitment and hands-on approach are a huge part of why the camp keeps growing. They really seem to care about helping young talent get better.
From Humble Beginnings to National Prominence
The camp’s launch lined up with some big moments for the Mannings themselves. Peyton Manning was heading into his junior year at Tennessee, Eli was a sophomore at Isidore Newman High School, and Cooper had just finished at Ole Miss.
The late Buddy Teevens, who was Tulane’s head coach at the time, and Jeff Hawkins, a recruiting coordinator, both played important roles in those early days. In 2005, the camp moved to Nicholls State University, where it’s been ever since.
Elite Instruction and Leadership Development
Every summer, the MPA brings in a bunch of college football’s top players to work as camp counselors. These guys get to mentor high schoolers and, honestly, probably pick up a few things themselves along the way.
This year’s group includes:
- Steve Angeli (Syracuse)
- Bear Bachmeier (BYU)
- CJ Bailey (NC State)
- Ryan Browne (Purdue)
- CJ Carr (Notre Dame)
- Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)
- Noah Fifita (Arizona)
- Kevin Jennings (SMU)
- Kyle Lowe (Southeastern Louisiana)
- Jayden Maiava (USC)
- John Mateer (Oklahoma)
- Owen McCown (UTSA)
- Alberto Mendoza (Georgia Tech)
- Arch Manning (Texas)
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Cal)
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State)
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia)
- KaMario Taylor (Mississippi State)
- Conner Weigman (Houston)
- Demond Williams (Washington)
A Gathering of the Game’s Brightest Stars
The MPA is a rare place where high schoolers can actually learn straight from some of college football’s best. It’s not just about drills—campers get to see what kind of mindset and work ethic it really takes to get to the next level.
The Manning Family’s Commitment
The Manning family, led by Archie Manning, is the heart of this camp. They’re known for being the first ones to show up and the last to leave, which says a lot about how much they care.
The whole idea for the academy came from wanting to give young athletes a better shot at learning the basics during high school. Three decades later, the camp has welcomed over 30,000 kids, and that original goal is still front and center.
Giving Back to the Game
Archie Manning, who runs the camp and chairs the National Football Foundation, is clear about one thing—it’s not about churning out superstars. The real win is helping young players love football more, become better leaders, and learn how to be good teammates.
Impact on College and Professional Football
The Manning Passing Academy has helped shape a lot of top-tier talent. NFF College Football Hall of Famers like Graham Harrell (Texas Tech), Andrew Luck (Stanford), and Tim Tebow (Florida) all spent time at the camp.
Some NFF Campbell Trophy® recipients—Justin Herbert (Oregon), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Bo Nix (Oregon), and Tim Tebow (Florida)—have also been part of the MPA experience.
From Campers to NFL Stars
Plenty of today’s NFL quarterbacks, whether as campers or counselors, have passed through the academy. Heisman Trophy winners like Jayden Daniels (LSU), Lamar Jackson (Louisville), and Bryce Young (Alabama) are on that list, along with three-time Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech).
It’s hard not to think the MPA played at least a small role in helping these guys become who they are now.
Looking Ahead
The Manning Passing Academy is marking its 30th anniversary. Honestly, it still feels like the gold standard for football camps across the country.
There’s something about the way they mix top-tier coaching with leadership lessons and just an obvious love for the sport. That combo keeps the camp relevant, and, let’s be real, it’s probably not going anywhere anytime soon.
Curious about the Manning Passing Academy and what it’s meant for the game? You can check out more details here: 30 Years of Excellence: Manning Passing Academy Remains a Powerful Vehicle for Developing Players.
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