Kirk Herbstreit explains why Arch Manning won CFB’s top redemption honor

Arch Manning is the Redemption Player of the Year Herbie Award winner. It’s an award given by CFB analyst Kirk Herbstreit to a player who bounced back from a bad season the previous year, an injury, or even someone who showed huge growth from Week 1 to Week 14.

Herbstreit gave his rationale for selecting Manning as the award winner.

“I think he came in with unrealistic expectations. When this season started, people were talking, ‘He’s going to win the Heisman Trophy.’ He’s better than Payton. He’s better than Eli. He is better than his grandfather. He will win a national championship. He’ll be the first pick next year in the draft.”

“When that didn’t come out in the first half of the season, people were very, very critical. To his credit, he blocked it all out. He didn’t take it personally. If anything, I think it motivated him to go out there and help his teammates win games. And I was really happy that he put up with it and came out the other side.”

Manning won the Herbie Award over fellow nominees Alabama linebacker Deonte Lawson and Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore. The Texas Longhorns superstar finished his first year as a full-time starter with a stat line of 2,942 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Manning helped the Longhorns to a 9-3 record and narrowly missed the College Football Playoff. However, his resilience has earned him praise on the collegiate football scene.

Arch Manning is still highly valued after a mixed 2025

Arch Manning is slated to return for the 2026 college football season, and remains arguably the most hyped quarterback in college football. According to Yardbarker, Manning would be a Day 1 pick if he declared for the 2025 draft.

The report claims three college scouts and two NFL executives were spoken to. All five talent evaluators told Yardbarker Arch Manning he would still be a Day 1 pick, with three of them saying he would still be QB1.

The reason for your evaluation is Manning’s current capacity and the potential it gives off. Manning is believed to only get better with repetitions, and his size is something that can’t be taught. Manning currently stands at 6′ 4″, 219 pounds, and is the first true dual-threat QB in the Manning family.

Arch Manning has until January 14, 2025 to declare for the 2026 draft as a junior. However, the general consensus is that he will return to the Longhorns and look to deliver a national championship for Steve Sarkisian’s team.