Paul Finebaum Reveals Biggest Criticism of Arch Manning

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The much-anticipated start of the Arch Manning era in Austin, Texas, is set to begin this season.

Manning was the top overall recruit in the 2023 class and is considered one of the best prospects of all time. He is also the grandson of college football legend Archie Manning and the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning.

In his first two seasons with the Texas Longhorns, Manning primarily served as the backup to Quinn Ewers. However, he had a chance to shine by playing three quarters in one game before starting the next two after Ewers suffered an injury.

During those three games, Manning threw for 806 yards, eight touchdown passes and two interceptions, achieving a completion rate of 69.4 percent.

During "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was asked which coaching staff he would prefer to join. Finebaum stated that he would love to be part of Texas' staff and take on the role of life coach for Manning. He mentioned that this desire stems from a specific criticism he has of Manning.

"I think if there is a criticism of him, I think he comes across too cool," Finebaum said. "I believe he's ready, but he's being asked questions like, 'Are you the best player in college football?' So, that's a lot to deal with. I think he's ready for the moment, but it's one thing to be ready for the moment, and then deal with it."

Finebaum noted that Arch Manning will face significant scrutiny and hype in the upcoming season. While he believes Manning is equipped to handle this pressure, he also thinks it could pose a challenge.

Finebaum recently raised questions about the excitement surrounding Manning, asking why fans are so enthusiastic about him aside from the hype. He acknowledged that Manning has performed well in the games he has played, but he expressed uncertainty about Manning's ability to manage critical situations.

Next season, Texas and Manning are expected to encounter such high-pressure situations, particularly in their challenging games, including the season opener against the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes on Aug. 30 at noon ET on Fox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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