Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Only One Player Has the Potential to be the Caitlin Clark of College Football

Caitlin Clark’s emergence begs the question: who could fill her role in college football?

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Nov 24
Nov 24

By Rock Westfall 

National college basketball sensation Caitlin Clark made her sport the place to be this spring. Over the past month, America has again witnessed the marketing power of superstar athletes. Clark’s emergence begs the question: who could fill her role in college football?

The College Football Criteria Requirements for the Caitlin Effect

For the past two years, Caitlin Clark did the impossible. In 2023, Clark made her move to put women’s college basketball on the map. The women’s Final Four drew record TV ratings that year. But the success of Clark and women’s college hoops was nothing compared to 2024. This April, the women’s national championship game outrated the men’s, not to mention other major pro sporting events of the past.

Fans who had no previous interest in women’s college basketball or who were even hostile to it could not resist watching Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Which leads to defining the criteria of what the Caitlin Clark effect is.

Simply put, the player with the Caitlin Clark effect must draw the most potential casual fans who otherwise would have no interest in college football. At the same time, such a player must be likable and marketable. The Caitlin Clark effect requires the ability of a player to fulfill the role of the good guy in the white hat. Finally, name recognition is a must for the role.

There is only one player who has the potential to be college football’s Caitlin Clark. But first, we must eliminate a player who fits much of the criteria, except for being the mandatory leading man. 

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The Prime Effect of Shedeur Sanders  

At the onset of the question of who can be Caitlin, many fans would adamantly claim it is Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. Indeed, Sanders is good enough to be considered a first-round pick for the 2025 NFL Draft by many scouts. In the early stages of the 2023 season, Colorado was a TV ratings bonanza. And with wins over 2022 national championship runner-up TCU and Nebraska, still a power brand, the Buffs became a nationwide sensation.

Colorado furthered its Caitlin effect by selling out Folsom Field for the entire 2023 season, the first time in school history the Buffs drew a season sellout. All of that makes a compelling case for Shedeur as Caitlin, except for one overpowering drawback.

The marquee man on the Buffs is not Shedeur Sanders. Instead, it’s his father, Deion Sanders. He is the draw and leading man for Colorado’s emergence as a team casual fans would flock to, at least during good times. But once the Buffs started losing, casual viewers deserted them. Colorado’s September rise in the standings and ability to draw TV viewers turned into a month-long decline towards the end.

Shedeur and Deion were a flash in the pan. Shedeur lacked Clark’s staying power. Without a good supporting cast because of his father’s neglectful roster management, Shedeur was battered, injured, and out of the lineup at the end.

Arch Manning – The Good Guy With the Regal Name and Potential Superstar Game  

Arch Manning has the bloodlines of football royalty. His grandfather, Archie Manning, was a Southern folk hero during his career at Ole Miss from 1968 to 1970. Archie was a two-time All-American and was selected second overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 1971 NFL Draft.

Additionally, Arch’s uncles, Peyton and Eli, are retired NFL legends and multiple Super Bowl champions. Peyton went first overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts out of Tennessee. Eli went first overall as well in the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Ole Miss.

Arch Manning was a five-star recruit out of Isidore Newman in New Orleans, Louisiana. There was some debate on if Arch is actually a five-star talent, with his level of high school competition being critiqued. Either way, he had his choice of all top-tier schools during his recruitment process.

Manning chose the University of Texas for its campus culture and academics. He is serious about hitting the books and is a likable, modest young man.

A great example of his modesty is when he opted out of the EA Sports College Football 25 game. Manning said that he did not want to be included in the iconic video game until he was “the guy” at Texas. Last year, Manning threw only five passes in one game as Quinn Ewers’ backup.

Additionally, Manning doesn’t handle his NIL money, passing that chore off to his parents instead. In a classic white hat scene, his deal with Panini netted Manning over $100,000, all being donated to charity.

Only Arch Manning Can Fill the Role 

Despite starting quarterback Quinn Ewers surprising everyone by opting out of the 2024 NFL Draft to return to Texas, Manning has not shown any signs of wanting to transfer. Instead, he will work for and earn his turn as the starter in 2025. He and Ewers became fast friends and are roommates. Manning fulfilled the role of teammate and good guy, just as America expects from its football heroes.

It is a sure bet that Arch Manning will not flash Rolex watches at enemy fans on the field of battle nor wear dollar sign caps. He will also not skip team meetings to do Louis Vuitton photo shoots in Paris. Manning has football sensibilities and understands his responsibility as a future team leader and starting QB. Fans appreciate such traits. He will certainly emerge as a natural role model for aspiring football players and the youth of America. Of course, that is all part of the Caitlin Clark effect.

A great example of Arch Manning’s drawing power and Caitlin effect potential was at last season’s Sugar Bowl. Arch was swarmed by a large media contingent on the field as Ewers was completely ignored, looking over his shoulder at his backup QB getting all of the attention. That moment was indicative of Manning’s star power and his ability to draw the casual masses to college football someday.

Arch Manning has the name, early fame, demeanor, star power, and the all-important and powerful Texas Longhorn blue blood mega brand to be the Caitlin Clark of college football. All he needs to do is prove it on the field when his time arrives.

Nobody else has a prayer of pulling it off.

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