The most outstanding player in college football this year was just a freshman. Texas A&M’s John Manziel, or Johnny Football, as most of the country came to know him, captured the 78th annual Heisman Trophy. In doing so, he re-wrote the history books becoming the first freshman ever to win this prestigious award.
The freshly turned 20 year old, still under the legal drinking age, took an overwhelming majority of the first place votes besting two seniors – the heart and soul of Notre Dame’s defense, Manti Te’o and Kansas State’s explosive quarterback, Collin Klein.
His first year was one of the greatest seasons for a collegiate quarterback ever, let alone a freshman. He led the team in passing and rushing, throwing for 3,419 yards, 24 touchdowns and running for almost over 1,181 more yards and 19 more touchdowns himself. In doing so he became the fifth player ever to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 in one season. Manziel individually scored 258 of Texas A&M’s points on the season, nearly 48 percent of the team’s total points scored.
Manziel led the Texas A&M Aggies to a 10-2 record in A&M’s inaugural year in what is arguably the toughest conference in college football – the SEC, home of the last seven straight national championship teams. Their losses were to then ranked No. 24 Florida and No. 6 LSU, though they lost both games by a combined total of eight points.
Johnny Football’s signature “Heisman” moment came on Nov. 10, in the first trip in A&M football history to Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama. His team shocked everyone by knocking off the defending national champions, the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, 29-24. This game would turn out to be the only blemish on Alabama’s season, as they went on to win the SEC and then crush Notre Dame two months later to repeat as national champion.
In the first quarter of what some called the “game of the year,” Manziel had the “play of the year.” Manziel took the snap in a shotgun formation and, as the pocket collapsed, tried to scramble to avoid the pressure. He ended up colliding with his own lineman. In the collision Manziel bobbled the ball, fumbled it momentarily then, regained possession of the ball, avoided a tackler and in turn, threw a strike across his body to his receiver in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.
Manziel has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining, and while some believe he will turn pro sooner than that, he cannot turn pro or opt for the NFL draft until after next year, his sophomore season.
How many more Heismans could Manziel win? One, two, maybe three? If he wins again next year he would be only the second person ever to do that; running back Archie Griffin of Ohio State back-to-back Heisman Trophies in 1974 and 1975.
However it appears Manziel has other ideas. “I have to be the guy that starts the motor for a run at the national title next year. That’s our goal. If more awards come, they come.”
