CFB insider Paul Finebaum makes blunt prediction for Longhorns' QB1 spot after SEC induction

The Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers debate is an everlasting one. This is even after the Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said UT will enter the 2024 college football season with Ewers as the preferred starting quarterback.

However, college football insider Paul Finebaum said what most are thinking, that Manning will be the Texas QB entering next season.

“That would be Arch Manning. I don’t need to tiptoe around that,” Finebaum said at the SEC Celebrations in Austin on Sunday. “That is guaranteed. You heard it. We may even see him a little bit throughout the season.”

While those comments were interpreted to mean Finebaum had said Manning would overtake Ewers this season, he clarified what he said later on Sunday on the SEC Network.

"I may be feeble, but I'm not that feeble," Finebaum said. "I thought, when the guy said 'end of the season,' I thought he meant 'end of the season.'"

Finebaum interpreted the question as asking who would be Texas' No. 1 quarterback after this season concluded.

"I'm never one to back away from anything I said ... but ... I've been seeing that pop up and I'm going, 'What was I drinking?'" Finebaum said. "I'm glad you gave me a chance to clarify it, because I really was thinking end of season – he's going to be the starter next year – and I said, 'Guaranteed, mark it down.'

"I would never impune Ewers, because I think he's probably the second best quarterback in the country starting the year."

Ewers, the No. 1 recruit in his class, surprised many by returning to Texas for his junior season, but he avoided joining a stacked 2024 NFL draft class, even after taking the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff and a 12-2 record. ESPN has him going No. 10 in its mock 2025 draft updated Tuesday, while USA Today has him going No. 22 in its mock draft from June 20.

Meanwhile, Arch Manning also surprised many by returning to UT and not transferring with Ewers coming back. The No. 1 overall recruit in his 2023 class, he threw just five passes in two games as a redshirt freshman last season. He broke his uncles' records for passing yards (9,754) and touchdowns (140) at Newman in New Orleans.

His uncles are Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, both two-time Super Bowl winners. Eli threw for 7,628 yards while Peyton passed for 93 TDs in high school.

On Monday, Finebaum elaborated on his thoughts on "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning."

“I know we’ve seen (Tim) Tebow, Johnny Manziel, and all these other great quarterbacks, but the hype for Arch Manning as a starter in Texas, I think, is going to leave the rest of those in the dust," Finebaum said regarding Manning's potential.

Arch Manning is unfazed regarding his status in Texas

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian has one of the best headaches that coaches would want in the college football world. His quarterback roster is brimming with talents like freshman Trey Owens, Arch Manning and Quinn Ewers.

The buzz surrounding Manning, thanks to his family legacy and his recruiting position, has fans waiting for his promotion to the QB1 spot. During the annual Manning Passing Academy over the weekend, Manning talked about his status at Texas:

"I like the situation I'm in. I like Austin. I like the school. I like the coaching staff. I like the people in the building," Manning said.

Quinn Ewers also shared his thoughts on the QB competition in a podcast appearance with former NFL star Robert Griffin III:

"I think we're really intense competitors. And we all want the same outcome. But at the end of the day, I think we're better humans. And I think we're better people. And I think that we really enjoy each other's company in that quarterback room," Ewers said (Timestamp: 18:40).

With such camaraderie and shared vision, the Longhorns' QB room is a powerhouse waiting to explode on opposing defenses this season.