Ole Miss senior quarterback Eli Manning was practically born on the football field.

His father, Archie, was named the quarterback on Ole Miss' all-century team and starred for the New Orleans Saints. His mother, Olivia, is a former Homecoming queen. Older brother Peyton was an All-American at Tennessee and now is quarterback for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Eli Manning, a second-team Academic All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate, could be one of the first players taken in next spring's NFL Draft. He opened his season last week by throwing for 275 yards and a touchdown in the Rebels' 24-21 win over Vanderbilt. He participated this week in the "2-Minute Drill" with Enquirer reporter Bill Koch.

Q. Which is closer to reality, the NCAA-favored image of the "student-athlete" or the more cynical view that college athletes care more about using college as a vehicle for the pros rather than getting an education?

A. I think overall the image is worse than (the reality). A lot of students come here out of high school thinking this is the way to get to the NFL, but as they enter college, after a year or two, they realize the NFL is a long shot. They realize that this is a great opportunity to get an education and get a degree and have a better life, whether it's as an NFL player or a regular person in the business world. When you're 18, it's hard to realize that. You always have your dreams. A lot of these guys are the kings of their high schools. Some of them wouldn't be in school if it weren't for football. They realize they have two great opportunities - to play college football and to get a good education. Some of these guys try in school, but it's just hard for them. They come from different backgrounds. They're in a new world. It takes them a long time to adjust.

Q. What is the first memory you have of your dad as a famous athlete?

A. I don't remember him playing football. When he retired from football, I was 4 years old. I remember going to Saints games when he was announcing. Me and my brothers would go, and after the game we'd be walking back to the car and hear fans yelling, "Hey, Archie!" and coming up and getting an autograph. That was fun.

Q. Your brother Peyton faced a decision similar to the one you made after last season to return to school for your final year of eligibility rather than leave early for the NFL. In the end, you both decided to return to school. Did you seek his advice before you made your decision to stay in school?

A. I sat down and asked him his thoughts about it, why he did it. He didn't say, "You need to do this or that." We were in a different situation. He was probably going to be the first pick taken as a junior, but he was coming back to the team ranked No. 1 in the country in the preseason. They were winning nine or 10 games every year. I wasn't going to be the first pick.

Q. What, then, made you decide to return to school?

A. It wasn't just one thing. A lot of it was that I didn't play as well as I could last year. I wasn't satisfied. I needed to improve on a lot of things. I had a chance to be a senior and to be a captain. A lot of these guys I came in with are good friends of mine. I thought we were going to be better this year. A lot of these receivers, I helped recruit these guys. In a way, I think they came to Ole Miss because of me. If I left, I'd be abandoning them.

Q. What do you like about the college experience?

A. It's just a great time and a great experience. I'm going into my fifth year. I've got three hours of school left and then I'm going to graduate with a degree in marketing. I wanted to have a semester where I could concentrate on football.