Many fans believed Texas would have been better off starting Arch Manning over Quinn Ewers last season.
While that’s completely unfair to Ewers, you can’t blame fans for being excited about the limitless potential that Manning clearly possesses.
With Manning now taking over the reins of Steve Sarkisian’s offense, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has expressed ultra-high expectations for the young quarterback.
Speaking to On3.com, Finebaum drew comparisons between Manning and a pair of legendary, Heisman-winning quarterbacks, emphasizing the immense pressure that will come with Manning’s new role as the Longhorns’ full-time starter.
“I believe that not since Tim Tebow have we had something that is aligned with Arch Manning,” Finebaum said.
“The expectations are going to be as wild as we’ve ever seen or at least since [Johnny] Manziel or Tim Tebow. Maybe worse because of the current state of the media with social media.”
Finebaum went on to emphasize his belief in Manning’s readiness for the challenge.
“I don’t claim to know Arch Manning,” Finebaum continued. “I know everybody else in his family. I talked to his grandfather recently when we were in New Orleans, and I think there’s never been a player more prepared and ready for what he’s about to face.”
Manning made his first two career starts last year, both of which ended in victories, and appeared in a total of 10 games for the Longhorns.
Coach Sarkisian also shared his confidence in Manning’s ability to handle the pressure during a recent appearance on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams show.
“It would be pretty tough for me to say he’s probably not going to be our starting quarterback. He started for us a couple games last year, played really good football,” Sarkisian said. “Our first game in the SEC against Mississippi State, he was our starting quarterback.”
When asked about Manning’s readiness for the challenge of being the big man on campus in Austin and all of the expectations that come with it, Sark didn’t flinch.
“I think the exposure that he’s had, I think he’s ready for it. I think he’s ready for the moment,” he confidently said.
“We’ve got a pretty good team. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re in February and we’ve got a long way to go until the fall rolls around, but we’re in a good spot to, I think, have a pretty good football team.”
Fair or not, Arch Manning will enter the 2025 season as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and elevate the Longhorns back to the elite class of college football.
Thanks to his family, it’s safe to assume that Arch will meet every single obstacle with nothing but class, maturity and readiness.
What are your thoughts on Finebaum’s comments? … Could Manning be the most hyped player in college football history???
