You know, the last time a Manning put on a Tennessee football jersey, it worked out pretty well. Peyton Manning didn’t just play for the Vols—he became a legend in Knoxville and remains a beloved figure to this day.
Now, the question on everyone’s mind is whether another Manning might follow in those iconic footsteps. Peyton’s son, Marshall Manning, is turning heads already—even as just an eighth grader. He’s set to officially enroll at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, a program with a strong football pedigree.
Like his dad, Marshall plays quarterback, and despite his youth, he’s already showing serious promise. That’s music to the ears of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and Vols fans everywhere—especially with 5-star offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda entering his senior season at Baylor. Osenda, a Tennessee commit, is expected to have a dominant year, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he started planting the seed early, encouraging Marshall to one day wear orange himself.
Could another Manning-to-Tennessee storyline be brewing? It’s early, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
5-Star OT Gabriel Osenda Could Kickstart Tennessee’s Recruitment of Marshall Manning
While it won’t fall solely on Gabriel Osenda to get Marshall Manning thinking about playing for Tennessee, the 5-star offensive tackle is in a prime position to plant the seed. With Marshall set to begin his journey at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, he’ll be stepping into a new environment—and Osenda is already the guy on campus when it comes to the football program.
It’s only natural to expect that Marshall will look up to Osenda, especially as he navigates his first year at a powerhouse prep school. That connection alone gives Tennessee an early edge. Add in the fact that Peyton Manning is a Vols icon—arguably the Vols icon—and the appeal becomes even stronger. The elder Manning’s legendary tenure in Knoxville included an SEC title, a runner-up finish in the Heisman voting to Charles Woodson (we won’t open that debate again), and of course, being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
Peyton’s legacy is set. Now, the spotlight will gradually start to shift to Marshall. Sure, all eyes this season will be on Arch Manning at Texas, but in a few short years, Marshall will get his turn to show the football world that quarterback greatness still runs deep in the Manning bloodline.
It’ll be a while before Marshall hits the college stage, but don’t be surprised if Tennessee starts laying the groundwork early. Vol Nation would love nothing more than to see another Manning suit up in orange—and carry on a legacy that started decades ago in Knoxville.
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