And then there were two.
What started as a three-man competition to replace Johnny Manziel has officially been whittled by one, with Texas A&M announcing Wednesday morning that Matt Joeckel has decided to transfer from the Aggies. The school stated via Twitter that head coach Kevin Sumlin “and A&M Football wish Matt Joeckel all the best next season, Joeckel graduated & will pursue his final season at another school.”
“Matt is a great Aggie and he has decided to transfer,” Sumlin said in a statement subsequently released by the school. “We wish him all the best.”
As Joeckel has already graduated from A&M -- earned a business degree last December -- he’ll be permitted to play immediately at an FBS program in 2014 if that’s the path he chooses for his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Joeckel, the brother of former A&M All-American and 2013 No.2 overall NFL draft pick Luke Joeckel, served as Manziel’s primary backup in 2013 and entered spring practice with a significant edge in experience over his two competitors. A three-star member of the Aggies’ 2010 recruiting class, Joeckel was the No. 29 pro-style quarterback in that class coming out of high school in Arlington, Tex.
“I have loved my four and a half years at Texas A&M,” Joeckel said. “I am glad I had the opportunity to play for Coach Sumlin, Coach (Jake) Spavital and the rest of the coaches. I am proud to have my degree from the Mays Business School and I’ll always consider myself a member of the Aggie family.”
With Joeckel out of the mix, the onus for replacing Manziel falls squarely on the shoulders of Kenny Hill and/or Kyle Allen.
Hill showed flashes last season that lead some to believe he could, like Manziel two years ago, surprise observers as spring practice commenced. Also like pre-Heisman Manziel, unfortunately, Hill has an off-field legal issue with which to deal. Late last month, Hill was arrested and charged with public intoxication, resulting in an indefinite suspension from the football program.
Allen comes into the battle with the high-profile pedigree, a five-star member of the Aggies’ 2014 recruiting class rated as the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 7 player at any position. An early enrollee who is participating in spring practice, Allen has been impressive in his own right. Add in Joeckel’s transfer and Hill’s arrest, and Allen could be in position to take over the A&M offense as a true freshman in 2014.