Paul Finebaum says Arch Manning will win the Heisman Trophy in 2026
By Andrew Olson
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Paul Finebaum is well aware that he played a large part in setting expectations a bit too high for Arch Manning in 2025. Finebaum now feels confident that 2026 will be Manning’s year, including a Heisman Trophy.
“Yeah, I can’t think back to six months ago today, Greeny, when a bespeckled, balding, aging former sports writer appeared on your show and made the prediction that everybody hated about Arch Manning being the next Tim Tebow. But he wasn’t that,” Finebaum said on Thursday’s Get Up. “But in the last two months of the season, I’m going to give him the Heisman. You can’t give the Heisman for the last two months, but he was one of the best players, if not the best quarterback in the country.”
Finebaum thinks Manning is making the right call in returning for the 2026 college football season. Finebaum pointed to a decision made by one of the Texas QB’s legendary uncles.
“And I think whether he’s one or two, one or not next year, he is making a smart decision. He’s a Manning. Remember, Peyton Manning, 30 years ago, decided to stay at Tennessee when he would have been the No. 1 pick. I think Arch Manning will come back. And yes, I’m going to go ahead and say it right now on New Year’s Day, he will win the Heisman next year and he will be the number one pick in the draft.”
The Heisman Trophy hype for Manning started up again on Wednesday after the quarterback had a highlight-filled game running and passing for 376 yards in the Longhorns’ Citrus Bowl win over Michigan. We’ll see how Finebaum’s prediction plays out.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
