Marshall Manning made his official high school football debut as the 12th-ranked Baylor School defeated Brentwood Academy in the first game of the regular season. However, he played only two snaps!
The plan is for the son of Peyton Manning to get reps in all 11 games this season, with some more than others.
This is a unique approach to high school football. Rarely does the true freshman backup quarterback see any time on the field when the score is not already out of hand in garbage time.
Marshall Manning made his (official) high school football debut.
The 15-year-old Manning first went viral at the Pro Bowl Games back in February of 2025. It was immediately clear that he is going to be the family’s next great quarterback prospect, like his cousin Arch, father Peyton, uncle Eli and grandfather Archie.
Fast forward to March of 2026. Marshall Manning was finishing his eighth grade year at The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and slated to be the backup to four-star Ole Miss commit Keegan Croucher as a freshman in the fall. His cannon arm was on full display at a 7-on-7 event. The hype train started to roll out of the station.
Manning officially began his freshman year at The Baylor School with the first day of classes on Aug. 19 but he had been on campus for a few weeks for training camp and preseason scrimmages. He overcame a series of bad snaps to look identical to Arch during his first live action at the beginning of the month. He made his regular season debut on Thursday.
Baylor played Brentwood in a rematch of the 2025 DII-AAA state championship. Manning serves as the backup to Croucher.
The former is learning a lot from the latter.
The Bears ultimately rolled to an 18-point victory over the Eagles behind an unbelievable day from Tennessee running back commit David Gabriel Georges. Croucher threw for 172 yards and a touchdown. Manning completed exactly one pass.
The Baylor School wants to play Peyton Manning’s son in every game.
Keegan Croucher is the starting quarterback for The Baylor School. It is not a debate. However, the Bears are likely going to win a lot of games in blowout fashion. That will allow Marshall Manning to get on the field.
He saw the field for the first time on Thursday. Manning gave Croucher a two-play breather during the first half and completed his first pass attempt as a ninth grader.
Marshall Manning's first HS pass as a freshman. 👀
— Sam Rothman (@samrothman_) August 21, 2026
Just the start for the son of #VFL Peyton Manning. #Vols pic.twitter.com/eje6fJooVW
But that was it! Croucher, who came back in on the next play, appreciates their relationship.
Keegan Croucher on Marshall Manning who came in during the 2Q and completed his only pass attempt to Cornbread Adams. #BestofPreps pic.twitter.com/acpYa4sxbg
— Patrick MacCoon (@PMacCoon) August 21, 2026
Head coach Erik Kimrey said the plan is to get Manning on the field during every game this season.
"I want Marshall to play in every game this year," said @ErikKimrey @MarshManning16 got his first snaps at @BaylorSchoolFB. pic.twitter.com/zn8fhMBpEx
— Brian Armstrong (@armstrongbh25) August 21, 2026
That is not typical. High school football teams rarely mix in their true freshman backup quarterback unless the starter gets hurt or the score gets lopsided. The Baylor School wants to get Marshall Manning acclimated. He is actually going to play!