McMillan’s Manning Passing Academy Experience Proves Memorable

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University quarterback Justin McMillan will never forget his first trip to Indianapolis.

The McMillan family was in Indianapolis for one of Justin's football games in nearby Louisville, Kentucky. The following day, McMillan and his father remained in town to watch quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts at the newly constructed Lucas Oil Stadium.

That stadium's nickname? The House That Manning Built.

Having a chance to watch Manning sling passes across the field is an experience no up-and-coming quarterback would soon forget, and McMillan was no different.

In late June, McMillan, along with a who's who list of college quarterbacks, converged on Thibodaux, Louisiana, for the annual Manning Passing Academy.

"Looking back at that now and being able to say that I was actually standing next to this guy and that I had a chance to learn from him – a guy who I looked up to and still look up to today – I almost have to pinch myself to a certain extent," McMillan said. "I was a sponge. I just wanted to take up as much information as I could."

Over the course of the four-day camp, McMillan got firsthand instruction from Cooper, Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning. He also served as a camp counselor for an event, which plays host to over 1,200 kids who come from 46 states and Canada.

"I never thought it would be much more than a regional-type thing," former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning said. "People come in from all over the country. It's just been fun to watch the whole thing develop. We never envisioned that this would happen, but it sure has been fun."

For McMillan, who grew up idolizing the Mannings, learning from members of the first family of football was a little nerve-wracking at first.

"Receiving snaps from Peyton and Eli themselves almost makes you fumble the snap because it is crazy that they are just casually flicking the ball around," McMillan said. "Peyton and Eli Manning are future Hall of Famers, but they walk around here like normal guys. They made us feel comfortable to be able to walk up to them. You can get nervous at times when you see guys like that, but there's no Hollywood in these people here. It's genuine love. They joke a lot and they like to have fun. They had me laughing more than anything else, so it's good to be able to see that they are just people, too, and they are going to show you that they are just as normal as the next guy."

McMillan will look to take the lessons he learned from the Manning Passing Academy and translate those skills into a winning formula Uptown where he begins his final season as the Green Wave's starting quarterback in 2019.

"Heading into the season as the starting quarterback is a lot different," McMillan said. "In my past, there wasn't a summer where I wasn't competing for a starting job. This year feels great, it has been smooth and it has been fun. I have personal goals for myself that I've set that I've never had a chance to set in the past. I have short term and long-term goals that I have set for myself, and it's become fun again. Coach Fritz has really helped me."

In his first season with the Olive and Blue, McMillan made six starts and posted a 5-1 mark in those games. He would go on to finish the season with 1,304 yards passing and 10 touchdowns.

He also engineered the game-winning scoring drive in the Green Wave's regular season finale against Navy, which punched Tulane's ticket to the 2018 AutoNation Cure Bowl. McMillan would then go on to guide Tulane to just its fifth bowl win in program history, throwing for one touchdown and running for another.

"Justin is good player," Archie Manning said. "He's improved. They've (the Tulane coaching staff) done a good job coaching him. Last year he really came on, and I know the coaching staff is excited by his play and his leadership. If he can stay healthy, there's no reason he can't have a great year."

McMillan will get the chance to put the lessons he learned to the test on Aug. 29 when the Green Wave welcome FIU to Yulman Stadium.

"I learned so much from them," McMillan said. "I've learned how to take care of things and hold yourself to a level where you can still be approachable. The Manning family welcomed us with open arms and I'm thankful for the opportunity I had there."

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McMillan’s Manning Passing Academy Experience Proves Memorable

Players Mentioned

Justin McMillan

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