Getty ImagesEarlier this week, the New York Times wrote an article about Texas A&M’s lack of official Heisman publicity for quarterback Johnny Manziel. That’s understandable to a degree. Manziel’s a redshirt freshman that only recently — meaning after this past Saturday’s win over Alabama – launched into the legitimate, end-of-season Heisman talk. He’s not even allowed to talk to the media.
It’s no coincidence that Manziel’s not currently favored to win the award either. Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein holds that distinction according to Bovada, and right or wrong, Klein’s going to have a better opportunity to seal up the Heisman with a season-ending game (on the last weekend of the season) against rising Texas with a BCS championship spot on the line. Manziel, on the other hand, finishes the season against Missouri with nothing else to play for other than another win.
Those are the politics of the Heisman — part of them, anyway — and although A&M previously did nothing in the way promoting Manziel outside of trying to trademark the nickname ”Johnny Football”, they’re certainly playing the Heisman game now. The A&M athletic department has an official Heisman website for Manziel and released a promo video Friday (with hashtag and everything) which you can view below.
“Johnny Manziel is most dynamic player in college football this season,” the video description reads. “He’s broken the 43-year-old SEC record for total yardage in a game – twice. Through just 10 games, he’s thrown for more yards than Tim Tebow & Troy Smith had in their respective Heisman seasons, and he’s on pace to break Cam Newton’s SEC total offense record – even though he will play in one fewer game.
“Without a doubt, Johnny ‘Football’ Manziel is best candidate for this year’s Heisman Trophy Award.”
Is it too little too late? Possibly. Mold the statistics however you want, this Heisman race could easily go to four or five individuals (I would personally include Oregon running back Kenjon Barner, USC receiver Marqise Lee and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney in the discussion) and there are still three weekends left in the regular season to sort it all out. There’s no Cam Newton this year.
The good news for Manziel is that the Heisman is supposed to go to the “most outstanding” player in college football, not the best player on the best team or the individual with the most impressive stat line. Conversely, the bad news for Manziel is that “most outstanding” means something different to every Heisman voter, and that’s not even taking regional biases into consideration.
This is sad because there is hardly no part of college football based completely on bias. He’s done everything past Heisman winners have done, but freshman “can’t” win. Klein hasn’t played as many top 50 defenses as manziel his entire career. But I guess we’ll see if the circus that is the Heisman trophy comes out to A&Ms favor, after all everyone loves controversy.
Well, maybe it is a bit late, but it’s not like K-State has done that much for Klein, either. They gave out a fairly average media handout on Klein’s behalf halfway through the season. If A&M has a website up, that’s more than KSU is doing.
The fact this is considered something schools have to launch campaigns for really calls the competence of Heisman voters into question.
Anyone that looks clearly at the top candidates would have to be a flaming idiot to vote for anyone other than Manziel. He has played against three top five defenses, and has sat out eight quarters of football because of blow out games. That said he will be the first player in SEC history with over 1,000 yds rushing and over 3,000 yds passing. He has put up over 1,000 more yards than Klein. His knocks that he had bad games against LSU an Florida are not valid in that he still had more yards against top five defenses and top ten teams than Klein has against opponents not ranked. Of the three picks against LSU two were not his fault. Watch this kid play, watch Klein play, look at their production, difficulty of schedule, and it’s Manziel for Heisman.
Regardless of whether or not he wins it this year (I believe he deserves it) they certainly have to be excited about the next few seasons. They SEC West will be fun to watch.
when a couple more defensive players and an offensive lineman (C from LaTech that calls the plays maybe) then it will be the best college football player. as it is, the Heisman is the best QB, WR, RB in the game…….oh and Charles “100Grand to New York City even though I have no ties to the North East because that’s what fortunate rich ballers do” Woodson.
Yes I too like all of the hype about the ‘instantaneously famous’ ‘Johnny football’. Yes, the fame has come after 1 game. So, where was all of the weekly talk about ‘Johnny football’ before last week? This is why I challenge you ‘Ben’ for publishing this scenario. Leave the field Heismann dreams for Klein, Barner, Lee, T’eo and company to be the frontrunners. Johnn y was never mentioned in the Heismann talks prior to last Sunday. Johnny football, Marcus Mariota, DeAnthony Thomas & Marquis Lee will be crowding the Heismann podium next year. There are a number of awards (15 or more I would guess) for players for the year for different offensive positions. All (4) of these could come up and grab one of these this year. So, why is all of the hype talk about Heismann only awards? Maybe someone like Ben could help us figure this out? In summary, although equally talented, both (freshmen) Manziel and Mariota need more perfection, growth, and versatility of their platforms before anyone talks about them to be Heismann contenders. They’re only freshmen and, if you look at Heismann history, you’ll see that a freshman has only received this award 3-4 times.
As some of you have already said earlier – FRESHMAN CAN’T and DON’T WIN! Good luck A&M fans with their website – but this is the absolute truth.
Te’o for Heisman. Stats are far too relied upon. He’s a leader of and undefeated team, orchestrates the number one scoring defense in the land, and he has some impressive numbers that the heisman voters so heavily rely upon. Not to mention how incredibly he has performed in the face of tremendous adversity.
Te’O shouldn’t even be on the list. Compare his number, production and leadership to DeMontre’ Moore as far as defensive players go. Leading the country in sacks and tackles for loss.
Teo is a legend. A Heisman would only confirm what already exists.
I’d take Moore and Clowney anyway over Teo.
Also they have much more talent competing with them for stats. Teo has good players on his defense but nothing like what Clowney and Moore have as teammates.
So much for Klein.