Herbstreit Thinks Star QB's Struggles Will Only Help Him

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has lived much of his life in the public eye.

After all, with his last name and pedigree, football fans have predicted greatness from him for years.

That's what made his middling 2025 season so disappointing. Not only did he fail to meet the Heisman Trophy expectations put upon him, but he didn't dominate from the pocket like a Manning has in the past.

That said, one prominent college football analyst thinks that year of struggle could benefit him in the long run.

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show," said those trials and tribulations will help Manning in both the near and long term.

"It's like round two, right? I think the experience of last year, not having played a lot of ball and the expectations that came with that with that last name ... once he went out there, it was what it was. I personally think what he went through a year ago will not only benefit him this year, because now he's experienced all that hate, even though he didn't deserve it, didn't ask for it. I think it's really going to benefit him in the long run in the NFL."

Herbstreit added that a lot of college stars go to the NFL without having ever truly faced adversity.

"A lot of them freak out about it. Arch Manning dealt with more than I've ever seen a college quarterback deal with in just that first year," he said.

Given that hard-earned experience for the quarterback and his growing bond with head coach Steve Sarkisian, Herbstreit said he expects Texas to make a run at a title this year.

"I'd be shocked if he and Texas don't have a big year," Herbstreit said.

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