Colleyville Heritage High School’s football program was named the Texas 5A School State Champion in the National Football Foundation’s (NFF) 2025-2026 Academic Excellence Awards. They were one of 95 nationwide winners and only six in Texas to receive the honor, which recognizes academic excellence in football teams.
NFF Chairman and former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, father to Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning, said "Success on the field is significantly enhanced when a coach inspires his players to apply the same discipline, dedication, and determination in the classroom as well. We are proud to honor these football teams as the top academic performers in their states. When teams bring the same competitive mindset to the classroom that it takes to win on the field, they are preparing themselves for success far beyond football."
Eligibility requirements for the awards include: a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; superior academic application and performance; and a successful football season. Each state's high school coaches association selects their respective state's winners from a pool of nominees submitted by head coaches.
Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, the awards program stands as the only nationwide effort to recognize an entire high school football team for its combined achievements on the field and in the classroom. The initiative honors the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state and is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation.