Breathtaking moment for McNeese QB James Tabary at Manning Passing Academy

LAKE CHARLES – McNeese senior quarterback James Tabary experienced something over the weekend only few QBs in the country get to lay claim to – being an instructor at the annual Manning Passing Academy.

Tabary, a New Orleans native, will be entering his third season behind center for the Cowboys in 2018 after transferring in from Arkansas State following his senior season.

And because of his production in his first two seasons in the blue and gold, he’ll have a golden opportunity to end his career as the McNeese record holder in numerous passing categories.

But as well as all that sounds, being on the same field, working side-by-side with your childhood idols, there’s nothing that can compare. And it all came about with an unexpected phone call.

“My phone rang one day and it was Archie Manning,” said Tabary. “I couldn’t believe it. He was calling to invite me to the academy.”

Tabary was one of 40 college quarterbacks in the country selected to participate in the passing academy. The list included QBs such as Jarrett Guarantano of Tennessee, Trace McSorley of Penn State, Drew Lock of Missouri, Jake Fromm of Georgia, and Jalen Hurts of Alabama, just to name a few.

“It was by far the biggest milestone in my career as a player,” said Tabary. “Being able to compete against the best (college QBs) in the nation while being coached up and performing in front of my idol Peyton Manning; it was amazing.”

The academy, which also included college wide receivers and tight ends as well as some professionals, was held on the Nicholls campus in Thibodaux.

“I got really close to quite a few guys,” said Tabary. “Guys like Frank Nutile (Temple), Josh Jackson (Virginia Tech), Gardner Minshew (Washington State), Danny Williams (Stevenson College), Danny Cameron (New Mexico Hills), Ryan Finley (North Carolina State), and of course, (Chase) Fourcade (Nicholls), who is like a little brother to me.”

Tabary worked with a group of quarterbacks and tight ends with the help of coach Brad Banta, who is the special teams coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. He was also in charge of his own 7-on-7 team that he coached against other squads.

In addition, he, along with the other college athletes as well as professional players, practiced together three different times throughout the weekend.

There was also a Quarterback Challenge that required the QBs to hit moving golf carts from 15 and 25 yards, then another racing 30 yards down the sideline.

“We did that in front of 7,000 fans,” said Tabary. “I hit the first two but missed the deep ball by about two yards.”

Wisconsin’s Alex Hornibrook won the challenge and was the only QB to hit the deep cart on the sideline.

Tabary said he got to sit and talk with both Eli and Peyton Manning and ask questions on how they watch film, prepare for games, and other things.

“I was able to interact with all of the Mannings – Archie, Cooper, Eli and Peyton,” said Tabary. “It was an absolute honor and was so incredible to be coached by Peyton and Eli.

“I’ve always tried to perfect my craft in my training just as Peyton did, and for him to randomly come up to me at one of the dinners we had and said ‘I’m really glad you’re here. I absolutely loved your footwork. You can rip the ball kid’, I was in absolute shock. The moment was so surreal I couldn’t even wrap my head around what had just come out of his mouth.

“We talked about New Orleans and playing high school ball there and other things about life.”

Tabary said he’ll bring what he learned back with him to Cowboy Country.

“I’ve learned how to interact better with my teammates from a professional stand point; how I can be the best leader for my team not matter what obstacles are thrown at me; and how to work my way around those obstacles.

“I’ll definitely be using Peyton’s drills that he taught and will incorporate those into my pregame warm-up.”

Asked to give one word to describe his experience… “Breathtaking.”