Allen Returns To Manning Passing Academy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas senior quarterback Austin Allen, the Southeastern Conference’s top passer from 2016, will serve as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy for the second straight year.

The academy, owned and operated by legendary quarterback Archie Manning and his sons Cooper, Peyton and Eli, will run Thursday through Sunday at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Entering its 22nd year of operation, the academy is considered one of the most prestigious in the nation. Allen is one of about 40 of the nation’s top college quarterbacks invited to learn from the Mannings and instruct more than 1,200 high school football players set to attend.

“I’m really grateful to be able to attend the Manning Passing Academy this year and learn from three of the best NFL quarterbacks to ever play the game,” Allen said. “The experience down there is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, and to be able to attend this camp twice is really special for me.”

In his first season as the Razorbacks’ top signal-caller, Allen immediately made his mark by leading the SEC with 3,430 passing yards, including a league-best 2,291 in conference play, in 2016. He finished with 25 touchdown passes, which ranked second in the conference, completed 61.1 percent of his passes (245 of 401) and boasted a 146.04 passer rating.

His 3,430 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes each ranked fifth in single-season school history. Of his 25 touchdown passes, 19 came inside the red zone, which led the SEC and tied for 10th in the FBS. The Fayetteville product threw for 200-plus yards in 11 games, including four 300-plus yard performances in SEC play.