After a rocky start, Arch Manning delivered when it mattered most, earning Kirk Herbstreit’s “Redemption Player” title with a late-season surge.
Arch Manning didn’t just bounce back, he turned the entire season around.
On Friday night, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit handed out his annual Herbie Awards, and Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning walked away with the Redemption Player of the Year honor.
After being buried in criticism early in the year, Manning's second-half resurgence became one of college football's most compelling storylines.
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Herbstreit didn't mince words.
He acknowledged the unrealistic expectations placed on Manning due to his last name and sky-high preseason hype, calling out those who "were very, very critical" when the sophomore struggled.
And struggle he did ... at least early.
Manning looked uncomfortable in the season opener against Ohio State, completing just 17 of 30 passes with one touchdown and an interception. Things got worse in Gainesville, where Florida's pass rush forced him into two costly picks in a Week 6 loss.
After a 3-2 start, the media and fans alike began to wonder if Manning was just a legacy name without the skill to lead Texas.
Then came the turning point.
Manning and the Longhorns rattled off four straight wins, including key victories over No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 14 Vanderbilt.
But it was his play against No. 3 Georgia - and a clutch second-half performance against Texas A&M - that flipped the script entirely.
Against a ferocious Aggie defense, Manning's 35-yard touchdown run sealed a season-defining win and showed off more than just raw talent ... it was composure, confidence, and command.
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Over his final five games, Manning threw for 1,493 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just two interceptions, proving he could not only survive the heat, but thrive in it.
Herbstreit's award isn't just about stats; it's about resilience. Arch Manning took the punches, adjusted, and delivered when the lights were brightest.
Now, with a full season under his belt and the SEC gauntlet ahead in 2026, Manning has gone from overhyped disappointment to Texas' biggest X-factor in its quest for another Playoff run.
The Redemption is real ... and it's just the beginning.