Texas A&M Names Redshirt Freshman Johnny Manziel Starting Quarterback

The Texas A&M Aggies are entering their first season as a member of the SEC. The SEC is widely regarded as the nation’s toughest college football conference and their six straight national championship victories can back up that claim. How is Texas A&M preparing to make a run in the SEC? By starting a freshman quarterback. Yikes.

Photo by Stuart Villanueva, Bryan College Station Eagle via AP

The Aggies announced today that redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel will be the team’s starting quarterback heading in to the 2012-13 college football season.

Head coach Kevin Sumlin made the announcement today.

“Johnny has performed the best at this stage and we will proceed until the season opener with him getting the first-team reps,” Sumlin said. “My policy is simple really; the best player plays. Competition is a great thing and we need more competition at all of our positions. All of our quarterbacks have competed well, and I expect them to continue to push Johnny.”

Texas A&M kicks off their season with a nationally televised game against Louisiana Tech. The game will air onESPNU with a start time set for 6:30 p.m. central.

Manziel was a decorated quarterback out of the state of Texas. He was National High School Coach Association Football Player of the Year, a Parade All-American and Texas Associated Press sports editors Player of the Year.

Redshirt sophomore Jameill Showers was expected to win the starting gig but Manziel got the edge.

In his senior year at Tivy High School, Manziel threw for 3,609 yards and 45 touchdowns. He managed to only throw five interceptions and added another 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground to go with a receiving touchdown and kick return for a touchdown. Manziel did it all in high school and the Aggies hope he can have some more solid production with the SEC schedule.