Deafening hype continues for the Texas redshirt sophomore.
Paul Finebaum Doubles Down with Another Bold Arch Manning Take originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning will step into the spotlight in his first full season as the starter in a matter of days. He's carrying a weighty legacy with him.
The buzz isn’t new, but it’s swelling. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, the long-tenured college football voice, has raised the volume even more, offering a fresh crescendo to the narrative surrounding Manning’s potential.
Finebaum, who once labeled Manning as a favorite for the Heisman Trophy, now doubles down, calling him a generational talent. The talk around the Longhorns’ new signal-caller is intensifying fast as fans and analysts await what this season might bring.
"He [Arch Manning] is going to be the most dynamic quarterback we have seen, perhaps, in a generation," said Finebaum.
Paul Finebaum Calls Arch Manning a Generational Talent
Finebaum hasn't held back and issued countless declarations about the talents of the 6-foot-4, 219-pound signal-caller. He said Manning’s ceiling is “through the absolute roof” and touted him as “the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006.”
Finebaum also referenced Manning’s limited but telling 2024 stats — 939 passing yards and nine touchdowns — arguing those glimpses show enough promise to portend a breakout season.
"He [Arch Manning] is going to be the most dynamic quarterback we have seen, perhaps, in a generation."
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 13, 2025
SEC Inside: Looking For Answers 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/Kr5SxQ2PRN
On “Get Up,” Finebaum insisted Manning could be sitting front row at the Heisman ceremony in New York, assuming Texas lives up to expectations in SEC and national title contention.
He also criticized Texas coach Steve Sarkisian for sticking with Quinn Ewers during last year’s Cotton Bowl loss instead of inserting Manning. Finebaum believes that decision may have cost Texas a national championship.
When colleagues challenged him by naming other celebrated quarterbacks since Tebow — like Cam Newton, Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence — Finebaum stayed firm. “I rest my case,” he said.
Manning comes by the hype honestly. He’s 21 years old, the nephew of two Super Bowl-winning legends, Peyton and Eli Manning, and grandson of college football legend Archie Manning.
Now heading into his sophomore campaign with his family’s legacy and expectations on his shoulders, he’s under intense scrutiny.
This story matters because it raises the question of whether hype can match pedigree. Manning has the bloodline, the flashes of talent and the Heisman hype, but those storylines are window dressing. Fans are waiting to see if he can deliver under this ever-amplifying spotlight.
Manning and the Texas Longhorns open the season by visiting the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes at noon ET Aug. 30 on Fox.
Related: Why College Football History Suggests Texas Will Not Win This Year’s National Championship
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
