Paul Finebaum Can’t Contain His Excitement After Shaking Hands With Arch Manning

Paul Finebaum Can’t Contain His Excitement After Shaking Hands With Arch Manning originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Paul Finebaum had a bit of a fanboy moment on live television when Texas quarterback Arch Manning dropped by the ESPN set during coverage of SEC Media Days. The oftentimes opinionated college football analyst played it cool in the moment, shaking hands with Manning and later calling it “truly one of the most remarkable moments of my life.”

His co-hosts, including Heather Dinich, couldn’t resist poking fun. She joked that Finebaum might never wash his hand again.

But there is more to the moment than just a lighthearted exchange. Finebaum has been one of the most vocal believers in Arch Manning’s potential.

.@finebaum's reaction to shaking Arch Manning's hand is gold 😂 pic.twitter.com/z0jeO3HyAy

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 16, 2025

Earlier this month, he made headlines by saying Manning could be the best college football quarterback since Tim Tebow. The comparison is bold, considering Tebow won a Heisman Trophy and two national championships during his career at the University of Florida.

Finebaum even went so far as to say Texas will beat Ohio State to open the college football season. The Longhorns will get a rematch from their semifinal loss to the Buckeyes. While some may see this as overhyped, Finebaum has remained steadfast in his conviction that Manning will develop into a generational talent.

Despite limited playing time so far, Manning has become the face of Texas football as the Longhorns prepare to make their SEC debut. The expectations are enormous, but so is the buzz.

Whether or not Manning lives up to Finebaum’s lofty praise, the excitement is very real. One handshake may have sparked some playful teasing on set, but it also underscored just how high the stakes are for Arch as he steps into the spotlight this fall. For Finebaum, it was more than a meet-and-greet. It felt like the beginning of something big.

Related: Paul Finebaum Hilariously Claps Back at Jordan Rodgers Over Comments About Arch Manning

Related: Former NFL QB Shuts Down Arch Manning Hype Train With Blunt Verdict

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.