Paul Finebaum hails Arch Manning as best college QB since Tim Tebow
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum is just as eager as many college football fans to see Arch Manning come running out of the tunnel to begin the 2025 season. That’s because Manning is finally the guy to lead Texas, taking over for the offense under Steve Sarkisian with Quinn Ewers now off to the NFL.
With Manning’s time officially here, Finebaum appeared on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Tuesday to discuss his expectations for Manning. He’s not backing off Heisman Trophy capabilities this fall, along with an expectation that the Longhorns can compete for titles under his guidance.
“The absolute roof,” said Finebaum about expectations for Manning. “I think there’s a reasonably good chance that Arch Manning will be sitting on the front row in New York at the Heisman ceremony, that’s assuming his team does what it is supposed to do and competes not only for the SEC but for the national championship.”
Finebaum’s belief in Manning is so great that he even believes the quarterback could have ultimately turned around the season-ending Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State:
“Had Arch Manning been (inserted) in the 2nd half of that game vs. Ohio State like Nick Saban did years ago with Tua Tagovailoa, I think there’s a reasonably good chance that Texas would have beaten Ohio State and won the national championship,” claimed Finebaum.
By now, it should be clear that Finebaum is deadly serious about Manning’s potential. But, if there was any doubt, he used one final comparison to former Florida legend and Heisman winner, Tim Tebow.
“I believe also that Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006,” Finebaum praised.
The major betting odds back up Finebaum’s ultimate belief in Manning. He is the preseason frontrunner in the Heisman Trophy odds, coming in at +600 via BetMGM. The Longhorns are also tied atop BetMGM’s national title odds, joining Ohio State at +500 to win it all this fall.
Now, it’s up to Manning to live up to the hype.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
