ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Makes Laughable Claim About Arch Manning

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum made waves Monday morning on Get Up with a head-scratching statement: Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we’ve seen since Tim Tebow.

The comment, made in reference to Manning’s expectations in 2025, has drawn swift criticism across college football circles, and for good reason.

While Finebaum praised Manning’s pedigree and tools, the claim ignores more than a decade of elite quarterback play that reshaped the sport.

Players like Cam Newton, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson not only put up historic numbers, but they also won Heismans, national championships, and delivered all-time great seasons.

Manning, meanwhile, has yet to start a full season of college football.

The SEC-centric comparison also fits his usual pattern. Finebaum has long leaned into narratives that elevate SEC programs and players above the rest, often at the expense of facts or balance.

Arch Manning, the former No. 1 overall recruit, may be on the verge of a breakout campaign in Austin, but calling him the best in nearly two decades stretches well beyond reasonable projection.

Here’s a look at some of the quarterbacks Finebaum omitted in making his Tebow-to-Manning jump:

• Cam Newton (Auburn, 2010) – Heisman winner, national title, generational talent.
• Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012) – Electrifying Heisman campaign.
• Jameis Winston (Florida State, 2013) – Heisman winner and national champion.
• Lamar Jackson (Louisville, 2016) – Unmatched athleticism, Heisman trophy.
• Joe Burrow (LSU, 2019) – Arguably the greatest season in college football history.
• Deshaun Watson (Clemson, 2015–16) – Two-time national finalist, title winner.
• Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) – Back-to-back Heisman winners.
• Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech) – NFL MVP with a prolific college resume.
• Jalen Hurts (Alabama/Oklahoma) – Versatile, successful leader at two powerhouses.

Finebaum’s assertion would be aggressive even after Manning proves himself in Austin. As it stands today, it’s little more than a projection wrapped in SEC loyalty. With Texas coming off of its first full season in the SEC, the timing of the take is hard to ignore.

Arch Manning may very well develop into one of the sport’s elite quarterbacks. But suggesting he’s already surpassed a generation of proven legends is, at best, premature—and at worst, another example of Finebaum letting conference bias and expectation overshadow reality.