Collegiate Times

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) breaks free in the secondary on his way to a 15-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Southern Methodist at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The Aggies routed SMU, 48-3, as Manziel finished with 294 yards and four TDs passing, and another 124 yards and two TDs rushing. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

Emert

At first it was just noise and a nickname. 

Some kid from Kerrville, Texas was putting up crazy numbers in his first few games and people were starting to notice. 

More than that, his fellow Texas A&M students gave him a moniker that makes him sound like he is the messiah of the game rather than just another student-athlete playing it.

Surely, I thought, the fantastical play would return to a more common level for a freshman and I would not have to listen to another analyst preach about how “Johnny Football” was changing the game.

But the play didn’t stop, and it still hasn’t.

The Heisman Trophy has been awarded 77 times, yet it has never been given to a freshman — until now. 

I am saying I am now a believer in the Johnny Football effect. Call it jumping on the bandwagon, I’m fine with that, but the fact that his name is John Paul is more of a sign from above than a coincidence. 

His 24 passing touchdowns this year isn't all that impressive, until you consider the fact that he ran for 19 more. He led a conference that is based on strength in the trenches and speed on the outside in total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and rushing yards. 

He has shown up time and time again and in a rare losing effort to LSU in which he turned the ball over a season-high of three times, the Tiger players commented on how much they would not enjoy playing him for the next couple of years.

It’s no surprise, however, that there are those who don’t believe he should win the trophy. The naysayers are separated into two categories: those who think there is another player more deserving of the trophy, and those who think Manziel (Johnny Football’s last name) shouldn’t win because he is a freshman. 

To the latter group I have no response for you other than noting the pure ignorance of that statement. While the trophy is hallowed ground, it is not a lifetime achievement award. 

In football you had Earl Campbell. In baseball there was Ichiro in 2001 and Fred Lynn in 1975. All are rookies who have won their respective sports MVP recognition. It doesn’t happen often, but if the right man is the young man, why should he be denied?

Now to the former group, one that is equally as wrong but stands on a worthier argument.

If not John Paul Football, than whom?

Collin Klein has put up incredibly numbers as well but they just are not as good. He has thrown 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, compared to Manziel’s 24 and eight. Klein has rushed for 20 touchdowns on the year but the caliber of the opposition was not equal to that of the SEC talent Manziel was going up against every week.

That leaves Manti Te’o. He is a great football player, proven by impressive stats, and an emotional leader of the Irish who have earned the right to play for the national championship. That being said, neither his stats nor his emotional leadership make him the “most outstanding player in college football”.

Teo averages 8.4 tackles a game, 59th best in the country.  He has seven interceptions, which is best for linebackers, but he has zero forced fumbles. His numbers are impressive but he got the short end of the stick regarding the Heisman at a young age when he chose to play defense, and linebacker at that.

The game is driven by offense and you can be “outstanding” while making plays with the ball in your hands on offense more than chasing after it on defense.

Manziel is not a gift from above although his name and his play may suggest otherwise. He is just another kid from Kerrville, Texas who, when the nation’s watching and the ball is in his hands, will make a big play for your team (see Nov. 10 against Alabama).

The Heisman Trophy has been awarded 77 times, yet it has never been given to a freshman — until now.  

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A version of this article appeared in the Nov 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.