Kirk Herbstreit names Texas' Arch Manning as 2025 Redemption Player in annual Herbie Awards

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was named Kirk Herbstreit’s “Redemption Player” during his annual Herbie Awards on Friday. The former top recruit finished the regular season strong after an up-and-down start.

Manning’s first year as Texas’ starting quarterback started out rocky following the season opener against Ohio State. However, he started to put it all together down the stretch and eventually helped the Longhorns to a Lone Star Showdown victory over Texas A&M.

That turnaround is why Manning won Herbstreit’s Redemption Player award. He cited the lofty expectations for Manning entering the 2025 season as a reason he won the honor.

“I think he came in with unrealistic expectations,” Herbstreit said during Friday’s show. “When this season started, people were talking about, he’s going to win the Heisman Trophy, he’s better than Peyton, he’s better than Eli, he’s better than grandpa, he’s going to win a national championship and he’ll be the first pick next year in the draft. And when that didn’t pan out the first half of the season, people were very, very critical. ‘This guy can’t make quick decisions. What’s up with his throwing delivery?’ This, this.

“To his credit, he blocked all that out. Didn’t take any of it personally. If anything, I think it motivated him to go out and help his teammates win games. I was really happy for him enduring that and coming out on the other side.”

Manning eventually put up strong numbers during the 2025 season. He threw for 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns, to seven interceptions, while adding 244 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Texas ended the year with a 9-3 record, just missing out on the College Football Playoff.

Over Texas’ final five games of the year, Manning appeared to flip a switch. He threw for 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns, to just two interceptions, down the stretch as the Longhorns closed out SEC play. He topped 300 yards three times during that run – including a 389-yard, four-touchdown showing in a resounding victory over Arkansas. Additionally, he threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a close win over Vanderbilt.

For comparison, through Texas’ first seven games, Arch Manning threw for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns, to five interceptions. It was a rough start to his time as the starter, but he turned it around in a big way to end the season and get the Longhorns in position to contend for the CFP.