Johnny Manziel: Heisman Candidate

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel leads college football’s top conference in total yards (1,460) and total touchdowns (16).

While West Virginia’s Geno Smith, with numbers that boggle the mind, stands as the far and away frontrunner for the 2012 Heisman Trophy, one relatively-unheralded SEC signal caller is quietly putting up remarkable figures in his own right. Through four games, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M has completed over 70% of his passes for 1,094 yards, ten touchdowns and zero interceptions. He is also averaging 91.5 yards rushing per game, more than South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, adding six more rushing scores. Manziel leads college football’s top conference in total yards (1,460) and total touchdowns (16).

What makes those totals even more impressive is that those four games have been the first four of Manziel’s career. This redshirt freshman, who was named the National High School Coach Association Football Player of the Year in 2010, threw his first college pass less than one month ago. His raw athletic skills are still being sharpened. Another highly-touted freshman quarterback, Marcus Mariota of Oregon, has compiled 256.8 yards per game. For point of reference, Manziel averages 365.

Back when the season started, Manziel was known more for being Ryan Tannehill’s replacement than for his own skill set. The first round selection of Tannehill by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins initially left many questions under center as the Aggies prepared for their debut season in the SEC. The former quarterback and receiver finished his career as one of the most accomplished players in school history. After a summer arrest for his involvement in a fight and having a fake ID, Manziel surprisingly won the starting job over sophomore Jameill Showers this past summer. He hasn’t looked back since.

After weather postponed the season opener, Manziel and Texas A&M opened the year against one of the best defenses in the nation: Florida. The Gators ranked eight nationally in total defense in 2011 and brought that same aggressiveness and intensity to Kyle Field for the historic venue’s new conference opener. Making his first college start, Manziel performed admirably. He completed 23-of-30 passes for 173 yards and added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Aggies ultimately fell 20-17, giving Texas A&M a firsthand look at what it takes to be successful in the SEC.

Kevin Sumlin’s offense would go on to score 118 combined points in games two and three, wins over SMU and South Carolina State. Manziel would throw for 294 yards and four touchdowns and run for 124 yards and two scores against the Mustangs. He scored five more times the following week against the FCS Bulldogs. For as productive as he was in those outings, Manziel’s career day came this past Saturday against reeling rival Arkansas.

One day before his predecessor Tannehill would throw for 431 yards against the Arizona Cardinals, Manziel torched the Razorbacks for a school-record 453 yards and three touchdowns in the Aggies’ 58-10 walloping of Arkansas. Manziel, as usual, also made plays with his feet with 104 yards rushing and another score. In his last two FBS games, Manziel has totaled 975 total yards and ten total touchdowns.

“He is a different guy in the fact that he is such a good athlete. His ability to create offense is what makes him different,” explained Sumlin, who coached record-setting quarterback Case Keenum while at Houston. “Our receivers are getting a feel for him and he continues to progress as a quarterback not just a guy who is out there. For the fourth straight week he has done a really good job taking care of the football.”

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who put up big numbers during his playing career at Texas Tech, has been pleased with Manziel’s quick progression.

“I felt like it was the best game he has played in the pocket. He still got out the same when it wasn’t there, but he really studied the film all week and knew the game plan. It was nice to see him be confident in his throws and be accurate,” he added.

While Manziel’s numbers are astounding, his football instincts have impressed his teammates. While the schedule certainly picks up from here – LSU comes to town on October 20th – the freshman signal caller has shown an uncanny ability to find ways to move the chains to this point in the year. The physical talent is undoubtedly there. Even this early in his career, though, the moxie appear to be in place too.

“He is a special football player,” offensive lineman Patrick Lewis acknowledged. “He is like the kid in the neighborhood that no one can stop, nobody run with him, nobody can jump with him, catch or throw with him. He is just that special player for this offense.”

It’s blasphemous to talk about a freshman in the same breath as the Heisman Trophy. At this point, however, Manziel has to at least be in the conversation. One-third of the way through the regular season, his totals are beyond impressive. The hope in College Station is that his skills you can’t directly measure continue to develop as well.