Paul Finebaum Names the Best College Football QB He's Seen Since Tim Tebow
From 2006 to 2009, while playing for the Florida Gators, quarterback Tim Tebow showed he was one of the best players in college football.
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He won a Heisman Trophy in 2007, earned the Maxwell Award in 2007 and 2008 while leading the Gators to a national championship win in 2008 and serving as a backup for another in 2006.
That's a lot of achievements, and during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN's "Get Up," analyst Paul Finebaum named one quarterback who could be just as great.
"Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006," Finebaum said.
That's a lot of pressure for Manning to face, especially considering that this will be his first year serving as the Texas Longhorns' full-time starter after sitting for two seasons behind Quinn Ewers.
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However, Finebaum's comments align with some of the many high expectations attached to the 21-year-old entering the 2025 season, as ESPN BET gives him the highest odds (+600) of winning the Heisman Trophy.
Last year, Manning got his first real taste of playing time for the Longhorns, appearing in 10 games, completing 61 of 90 passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, accompanied by 108 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Those totals will need to rapidly increase for Finebaum's comparison to Tebow to hold up, as Tebow completed 234 of 350 passes for 3,286 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 895 yards and 23 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season.
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Manning will certainly be tested early on as Texas takes on the Ohio State Buckeyes, who last season were No. 1 in points per game allowed (12.9) and yards per game allowed (254.6), for a Week 1 matchup on Aug. 30.
Related: Ohio State Predicted to Lose Elite 5-Star Recruit to SEC Powerhouse
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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