By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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The latest allegations, that Johnny Manziel received payment for signing autographs, have the potential to have implications well beyond his career.

Johnny Manziel may very well be the biggest celebrity in college football history. If not, he is sharing the spotlight with a select few; a Peach State plyometric, Mr. Know-it-All and a man who makes promises he tearfully keeps. The mere thought of an upcoming college football season without the reigning Heisman Trophy winner has the nation on edge. Though relatively overlooked at this point, his uncertain eligibility could have amateur infrastructure as we know it on the brink.

The attention surrounding Manziel is unprecedented. It has been the perfect storm of choice and circumstance. Last fall, the Texas A&M phenom became the first-ever freshman to claim college football’s most coveted award. He led the nation with over 393 yards per game and 47 total touchdowns. Manziel paced an unexpected rise through the SEC in the Aggies’ debut season, toppling unbeaten and seemingly unbeatable Alabama in Tuscaloosa along the way.

Manziel, more affably known as “Johnny Football”, has the perfect nickname. He plays the perfect position, in the most perfect state, to garner superhero status seemingly overnight. Unlike Tim Tebow, however, Manziel wasn’t necessarily groomed for such stardom. Tebow was the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2006, a five-star prospect known for years before ever taking a college snap. Manziel, though heralded, was rated as a three-star signal caller and was redshirted his first year. Last spring it looked as if Jameill Showers will start under center for Texas A&M.

RELATED: Is Manziel in Over His Head?

After pleading guilty to failing to identify himself to a police officer following a fight in the summer of 2012, his season successes became the overwhelming storylines until early January. From then, various pictures and tweets started to stir controversy. In March the Manziel family made news by trademarking “Johnny Football”. In July, Manziel’s early exit from the Manning Passing Academy and a trip to an Austin fraternity party caused a stir. The latest allegations, that Manziel received payment for signing autographs, have the potential to have implications well beyond his career.  

With his profile, the national appeal of this story and the NCAA’s waning reputation, Johnny Football’s John Hancock could completely reconfigure the way student-athletes are classified and compensated. Manziel is as polarizing as possible. The premise of him not owning his own autograph, though, has prompted great discussion. The slope is undoubtedly a slippery one, but public opinion around players deferring all of their own personal profitability seems to be changing. For years now, the debate of paying college players has carried water. Could this be the straw that breaks the camel’s back?

Timing is everything and, if structural change is inevitable, college sports should be on notice. Legislation won’t change tomorrow. That said, momentum certainly could.