The first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy — Johnny Football became college football's most compelling personality.
Jonathan Paul Manziel was born in Tyler, Texas in 1992. He attended Texas A&M University and in 2012 became the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy. His freshman season produced 3,706 passing yards, 1,410 rushing yards and 47 total touchdowns. His signature performances included a 5,116-yard, 41-touchdown season as a sophomore. His two-year career produced 7,820 passing yards, 2,169 rushing yards and 92 total touchdowns. He was the consensus All-American and SEC Offensive Player of the Year. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket — scrambling, buying time and delivering accurate throws on the run — was a template for later dual-threat quarterbacks. He was nicknamed Johnny Football by the Texas A&M fan base — a name that became so ubiquitous he later attempted to trademark it. Cleveland Browns selected him 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. His NFL career was derailed by off-field issues and substance abuse, lasting only two seasons. His college career — particularly that freshman Heisman season — remains one of the most celebrated individual campaigns in the sport's history, a moment of pure athletic promise that was ultimately unfulfilled professionally.
Heisman Trophy (2012)
Career Honours
- Heisman Trophy (2012)
- First freshman Heisman winner
- SEC Offensive Player of Year
- Consensus All-American