THIBODAUX, La. — As Ole Miss football approaches one of its most anticipated seasons in recent memory, Archie Manning is reveling in the hype.

Manning, enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame for his legendary career with the Rebels, welcomed college and youth quarterbacks to the Manning Passing Academy for the 28th time this weekend on the campus of Nicholls State.

There, he was asked for his thoughts on the Rebels' 2024 outlook.

"I love reading everything about the anticipation of the season at Ole Miss," he told the Clarion Ledger. "Lane (Kiffin)'s the king of the portal. I hope all those players kind of get to know each other and come together. But people are picking them. I know it's a talented team. I know it's a tough league, but it's great anticipation. It's wonderful for Ole Miss for people to be excited about the season."

Manning, 75, played for the Rebels from 1968-70, twice earning All-American honors. He was named the SEC Player of the Year by the conference's coaches in 1969. In 1971, he was drafted second overall by the New Orleans Saints.

Home games against Georgia and Oklahoma help feed Manning's excitement, he said. The Bulldogs haven't made the trip to Oxford since 2016. Oklahoma, joining the SEC for the 2024 campaign, has never played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

"That's great for the Southeastern Conference, those type of things," Manning said. "But I'm proud that it's going to a 12-team playoff, which is just outstanding. It might be some years where half the playoff teams are SEC teams. I could see an 8-4 SEC team ‒ and Big Ten. too ‒ there could be a 9-3, 8-4 team make the playoff. That's changing college football a little bit. I'm like everybody else. I'm really anticipating and hoping for a great season at Ole Miss."

DART: Why Jaxson Dart is talking about Ole Miss football winning 2024 national championship

After a minor injury canceled his trip last summer, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart attended o the Manning Passing Academy for the first time as a Rebel.

Eli Manning — Archie's son and another Ole Miss legend — said he's enjoyed getting to know Dart. An NIL event Manning and Dart hosted in Oxford along with Dart's attendance at this year's Manning Passing Academy has afforded the two more time to get acquainted.

"Enjoy his personality," Manning said. "I was able to take some light-hearted digs at him. He reciprocated and did the same at me, which is fun. That's what it's all about, that's what makes it special for the group. Got to hang with him last night a little bit and eat dinner with him. Seems like a great kid, got a good head on his shoulders and excited about his future."

David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.

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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Archie Manning is excited for Ole Miss football in 2024