Allen a counselor at Manning camp

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen motions during the Razorbacks' spring game Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen motions during the Razorbacks' spring game Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

BELLA VISTA -- Archie Manning likes how Brandon Allen plays.

The former Ole Miss and NFL quarterback likes Arkansas' quarterback so much that Allen will be a counselor this summer at the Manning Passing Academy, a camp for high school players owned and operated by Archie and his sons -- Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema said Friday before the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Club Celebrity Golf Scramble that Allen has accepted an invitation.

"I think that's pretty cool for him and kind of shows the significance of where he's at in the world college football," Bielema said.

The 20th annual Manning Passing Academy will be July 9-12 at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, La.

Camp counselors include college quarterbacks approved by Archie Manning. Among the quarterbacks who have served as counselors are current NFL players Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, Philip Rivers, Matthew Stafford, Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Johnny Manziel and Kirk Cousins.

"When I spoke to Archie Manning, he said he has a lot of admiration for Brandon watching his development over the last couple of years," said Dan Enos, Arkansas' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. "Brandon is a guy that Archie Manning felt really strongly about being there at the Manning camp.

"You can't get any higher compliment from a guy that obviously knows the quarterback position pretty good and knows good football players. It's a credit to Brandon to get this invitation and something he should be very proud of."

Allen, a fifth-year senior from Fayetteville, is going into his third season as the Razorbacks' starter. He has 25 career starts and last season completed 190 of 339 passes (56 percent) for 2,285 yards and 20 touchdowns with 5 interceptions.

"To be able to talk to the Mannings and some of the NFL people about not only the fundamentals and techniques of playing quarterback, but the mental approach to playing that position at a high level, is going to be great for Brandon," Enos said. "To pick their brains and listen the things those guys say, that experience will be something that he'll never forget and hopefully will be very, very good for his development."

Bobby Allen, Brandon's father and the Razorbacks' director of high school and NFL relations, said the family learned of Brandon Allen's invitation about two weeks ago but waited for Bielema to announce the news.

"When Brandon found out the news, he was super excited," Allen said. "To look at the list of guys that have attended that camp as counselors, it's quite an honor."

Allen will be the second Arkansas quarterback to be a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy. Tyler Wilson was the first in the summer of 2012. Ryan Mallett received an invitation in 2010 but had to decline because he was recovering from a foot injury.

Arkansas tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr., the Razorbacks' starting quarterback from 1992-95, said being at the Manning Passing Academy shows the respect Allen has earned as a player.

"This is pretty prestigious for Brandon, and I'm sure it's going to be a great experience for him," Lunney said. "He's going to pick up on some fundamental things that will help him, but more than anything he can learn more about leadership and how to carry yourself, because the Mannings are all true professionals."

The first Manning Academy was held the summer after Lunney's senior season with the Razorbacks. He smiled when asked if he would have liked the opportunity to attend the camp as a player.

"We saw the Manning passing camp in person in 1995 when Peyton Manning came to Fayetteville and threw for about 400 yards against us," Lunney said. "I think that was the initial Manning camp. At least, that's the closest I ever got."

Manning was a sophomore when he completed 35 of 46 passes for 384 yards and 4 touchdowns in the No. 10 Volunteers' 49-31 victory over No. 18 Arkansas Oct. 7, 1995, at Razorback Stadium. Lunney completed 22 of 27 passes for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns.

"We couldn't keep up with Peyton," Lunney said. "He was really on that day."

Bobby Allen said he's accepted an invitation from Archie Manning to attend the camp as a father who can watch his son work out.

"Archie said I could come down there and be a dirt kicker," Allen said. "I didn't know what it was. He said, 'That's just us old guys sitting on the sideline kicking dirt watching them work.'

"It'll be a blast."

Sports on 05/30/2015

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