2023 Herbie Awards: Kirk Herbstreit features top college football stars

On Friday, Kirk Herbstreit revealed his annual winners of the “Herbie Awards.” He had no shortage of fantastic talents to choose from.

The college football regular season was swamped with spectacular performances, highlight plays and classic contests this season. Fans responded, posting record-shattering viewership numbers.

Herbstreit was there for more of these memorable moments than almost anyone in the country. As a co-host on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Herbstreit never fails to be in the eye of the storm. On Friday, he energized fans with several electric picks.

The Ultimate Herbie: Florida State QB Jordan Travis

Jordan Travis’ season ended in catastrophe, but his 2023 campaign will never be forgotten. Herbstreit certainly hasn’t forgotten Travis’ greatness. Travis was 207-of-324 passing for 2,756 yards and 20 touchdowns with only two interceptions while adding 176 yards and seven touchdowns on 73 rushing attempts this season.

He was the only player in the ACC and one of three nationally with 20 passing touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions and led the ACC in fewest interceptions thrown, the second-lowest total among quarterbacks nationally with at least 200 attempts.

“Jordan Travis just kept fighting, kept providing the leadership that they needed,” Herbstreit said. “I can’t think of a guy that really embodies what college football should be about [more]. Not just his play on the field, but he would make spectacular plays, and he would do it with such grace and style.”

Offensive Player of the Year: LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels wasn’t able to bring home the Maxwell Award on Friday night, but he did reel in a Herbie. Add it to the collection. Daniels already has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and reeled in the Davey O’Brien Award.

Daniels leads the nation in total offense (412.2), passing touchdowns (40), total touchdowns (50) and rushing yards for a player at his position (1,134). His passer efficiency rating of 208.01 is the highest in FBS history. Herbstreit loved what he saw from Daniels this season.

“I saw was a guy that would take off, have his ability to kill you with his legs, pull the defense into him, keep his eyes downfield and make so many big plays,” Herbstreit said. “I don’t know if there’s anybody that had [Heisman moments] as often as Jayden Daniels at LSU this year.”

Defensive Player of the Year: NC State LB Payton Wilson

Wilson will happily add another trophy to the collection. Wilson already won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Butkus Award this year. However, this honor proves he’s not only the best LB in the nation, but the best defensive player, in general.

The statistics back up this lofty claim. Wilson led the ACC and ranked fifth in the FBS in tackles (11.5 per game)and was also the league leader in tackles for loss with 17.5 – the sixth-most in the nation. Further, he notched six sacks, broke up 10 passes, caused a fumble, recovered two more, and pulled down three interceptions, returning one for a score.

“[NC State head coach] Dave Doeren is a defensive minded head coach. He told me earlier this year, ‘[Wilson] is probably the best linebacker I’ve ever coached,'” Herbstreit said “He was the most consistent defensive player all year.”

Top Transfer: Florida State WR Keon Coleman

Keon Coleman did a U-turn this season. After spending two years with the Michigan State Spartans, Coleman opted to enter the transfer portal. While at MSU, Coleman appeared in 22 games with 12 starts at Michigan State and made 65 receptions for 848 yards and eight touchdowns.

While his numbers were respectable, they weren’t jaw-dropping. The same can’t be said for his statistics with the Seminoles. In the 2023 campaign, Coleman has amassed 50 catches for 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. He didn’t wait to introduce the nation to his abilities.

“It was the first game of the year in Orlando, where we had a chance to see, ‘Wow, this guy from Michigan State has a chance to really make this offense different,” Herbstreit recalled from FSU’s season-opening win over LSU.

Newcomer of the Year: NC State WR Kevin Concepcion

NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion has wowed viewers at every turn this season. The North Carolina native tallied 64 receptions for 767 yards and 10 touchdowns in his debut campaign.

Concepcion set the NC State football record for a freshman for most receptions and touchdown catches on his way to taking home the ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He is also a Shaun Alexander Award finalist.

“NC State is a program that’s known for their physicality, known for their defense,” Herbstreit said. “They had to search for big plays as this year went on. They started to find who their playmakers were, and Concepcion became a guy that they could count on.”

Kirk Herbstreit’s other winners

Coach of the Year: Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer
Throwback Player of the Year: Missouri RB Cody Schrader
In-season Turnaround: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
Redemption Player: LSU QB Jayden Daniels
Most Overlooked Player: Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton
Guy I Love to Watch: Washington RB Dillon Johnson
Big Time Player, Big Time Game: Washington WR Rome Odunze
Good-hands Play: Jalen Milroe 31-yard touchdown pass to defeat Auburn in the Iron Bowl
Game of the Year: Washington defeats Oregon 36-33 (Oct. 14)