The phone number was unfamiliar, but the voice on the other end was easily distinguishable.
“Once I heard that deep southern accent, I knew it was him,” Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn said.
Archie Manning was calling Finn to extend an invitation to the prestigious Manning Passing Academy.
Finn giddily accepted the offer.
The four-day camp in June at Nicholls State in Louisiana features a collection of the nation’s best high school quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends. A select group of college quarterbacks serve as counselors, as well as Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper Manning. The college QBs put on a skills competition for adoring campers and fans.
“I was really excited when I first got the call from Archie,” Finn said. “He broke down the details and told me to be ready. I was just in shock that I got invited. It was a cool experience.”
Finn was one of 45 college quarterbacks to receive an invitation, a list that included Alabama’s Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Taylor Powell of Eastern Michigan was the only other Mid-American Conference QB, although former Bowling Green quarterback Jarrett Doege, now a graduate transfer at Western Kentucky, attended.
Five years ago, Logan Woodside was a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy, the summer after a record-setting 2016 season (69.1 completion percentage, 4,129 yards, 45 touchdowns, nine interceptions) and a few months prior to leading Toledo to the 2017 MAC championship (64.2 completion percentage, 3,882 yards, 28 touchdowns, eight interceptions).
The 2017 MAC MVP was drafted in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals and is currently a member of the Tennessee Titans.
“I still talk about it to this day. It was probably one of the best weekends I’ve had in my entire life just being around the Mannings, the great camp that they had, and being a counselor for the kids,” Woodside said. “They do a great job of trying to be detailed. They don’t just want any quarterback down there. They want the best ones. Some of the relationships, even to this day, carry a lot of weight years later.”
Simply being around great quarterbacks — in addition to Young, Stetson Bennett (Georgia), Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Hendon Hooker (Tennessee), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Anthony Richardson (Florida) served as counselors — and having conversations can generate improvement. Finn swapped stories and notes, a process he hopes leads to an uptick in on-field production.
“I talked to a lot of guys to pick their brain and thought process on certain situations,” he said. “I got a lot of pointers and advice from each guy down there. The conversations were good and I feel as though I was able to learn and take it forward toward the season.”
Finn had a couple of current and future Hall of Famers to lean on as well.
“Just listening to the way that Peyton and Eli talked, they’re very tuned in and dialed into the details, how to take command of the offense and the ways they break down film,” Finn said. “One brother would be watching the Chargers and the other would break down the Patriots, and they would share ideas. Just getting that type of knowledge from them and soaking it in was just a good experience and a good lesson to have.”
His jersey might say Toledo, but in the seven games Finn started in 2021, he proved that he belonged in Louisiana with the rest of college football’s top quarterbacks. He completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 2,067 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just two interceptions, and rushed for 501 yards and nine touchdowns.
In November, Finn was 74 of 109 for 1,138 yards with 11 touchdowns and a single interception. He was only sacked once in Toledo’s final three regular-season games.
“Going down there, I knew I could compete with those guys,” Finn said. “Just because they’re at a bigger school doesn’t mean a MACtion quarterback can’t compete. I was fully confident in myself. I know what I’m capable of doing and that I can compete with anybody.”
Last summer, Finn spent time in San Diego with QB guru Tom House, who’s best known for his work with Tom Brady. While in California, Finn was able to talk up college and NFL quarterbacks, similar to his experience at the Manning Passing Academy.
The small details about throwing the ball, handling adversity, being mentally prepared, and focusing on nutrition impacted Finn’s preparation for the 2021 season.
“DQ is a relentless processor of the game and is continually looking for growth to become the best quarterback he can be,” said UT quarterback coach Robert Weiner, who previously served on the staff of the Manning Passing Academy for a decade. “Four days of immersion in the unique world of quarterbacks, being around the Mannings, and your peers from around the country who perform at the highest level, that’s an unbelievable experience.”
Prior to last season, Woodside, who referred to Finn as a “super talented quarterback,” had an opportunity to speak to the man who holds his former job and recalled how diligent Finn was in asking questions.
“For him, it’s just leading these guys this year and trying to get another MAC championship,” Woodside said.
Usually, a mysterious phone number doesn’t result in a memorable weekend.
“There was just a good vibe down there. It was a cool experience,” Finn said. “I feel like this is another milestone in reaching my full potential. I still have work to do. I’m still learning and soaking up all the information.”
First Published July 6, 2022, 2:56 p.m.
