Arch Manning has been college football’s most talked-about player this offseason. The discourse continued on Saturday after prominent analyst Paul Finebaum gave his take on the Texas Longhorns quarterback.
Fans Weigh In on Paul Finebaum’s Arch Manning Projection
Finebaum didn’t hold back when laying expectations on Manning, who’s only made two career starts as he enters his third season in Austin. Manning is following Quinn Ewers, a former five-star recruit who helped Steve Sarkisian’s program to back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals.
Finebaum believes Manning is set up to perform better than his predecessor. And Maalik Murphy. And Hudson Card, Casey Thompson, Sam Ehlinger, Shane Buechele, Jerrod Heard, Tyrone Swoopes, David Ash, Case McCoy, and Garrett Gilbert.
“I think he’s going to be the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy,” Finebaum said recently.
Arch Manning’s got NEXT🔥 pic.twitter.com/q2cvFGtKG5
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) May 31, 2025
“If Paul said it then he’s probably doomed,” someone replied.
“We really gonna believe dumbo Paul?” One fan commented.
“That’s not saying much,” another quipped, adding a laughing emoji.
Someone else had the same sort of thought, saying, “They haven’t had a good QB since Colt McCoy, so idk if this is much of a good thing … especially bc Colt wasn’t even all that good either.”
Former New York Jets scout Daniel Kelly provided the link to his scouting report of Manning under the post.
“Manning has some things about him that can’t be taught,” Kelly wrote. “He brings a fast-paced tempo to an offense, and he’s tough as nails (maybe a little too tough, I wish he’d learn to slide more instead of running like a running back). His innate ability to improvise is also magical.”
Others have given Manning the grace of patience, such as On3’s J.D. PicKell, who has repeated that he wants to wait to see what Manning looks like this season to make any predictions on his future.
“Arch isn’t asking for all the coverage that he’s getting,” PicKell said in February, mere weeks after the Longhorns’ season came to a close against Ohio State. “Now, he agreed to do the sit-down interview, but in general, when it’s Day 45 of us comparing Arch Manning to some ridiculous NFL quarterback – ‘Is Arch Manning the next Tom Brady?’ – Dude, I don’t know.”
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Manning’s first true test as his team’s incumbent starter will be an awfully tough one. Texas visits Ohio State to begin the coming season. The Buckeyes will be trotting out a new starting passer, as well.
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