Manziel made up ground in hurry to earn Aggies gig

Courtesy of the Houston Chronicle

COLLEGE STATION – Only a week ago, Texas A&M running back Ben Malena told reporters about doing whatever it takes to not get “No. 3” hit in the Aggies backfield. No. 3 is Jameill Showers, so even the fellows on the field figured Showers had the inside track on A&M starting quarterback as recently as eight days into August.

Meaning it’s been one heck of a meteoric rise for freshman Johnny Manziel, who entered camp trailing Showers – at least we all figured – in the battle to replace top 10 NFL draft pick Ryan Tannehill.

On Wednesday A&M coach Kevin Sumlin let us know by press release that Manziel had earned the right to start against Louisiana Tech in two weeks – on Aug. 30 (a Thursday night) in Shreveport’s Independence Stadium.

“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 in a statement. “My policy is simple really, the best player plays.”

Showers had appeared to further separate himself from Manziel earlier this summer when Manziel was arrested in the Northgate bar district for fighting, failure to identify himself and carrying two fake licenses. Sumlin has said he’s handled the matter in-house, and that Manziel has taken the necessary steps to stay a part of the team.

So, the incredibly athletic quarterback went from doing what was needed to cling to his roster spot, to earning the starting gig over Showers in the span of two weeks. As most football fans in South Texas know, Manziel was electric at Tivy High, where he earned Parade All-America honors after throwing for 3,609 yards and 45 touchdowns, and rushing for another 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2010.

After redshirting last season, he was erratic in this past spring’s annual Maroon & White game, however, completing 13 of 27 passes for 154 yards (with 63 of those coming on one play, a touchdown to Ryan Swope). But outside of his legal trouble, Manziel made plenty of progress in the offseason, and put himself into position to upend Showers for the top spot in the Aggies’ first year in the Southeastern Conference.

“Competition is a great thing and we need more competition at all of our positions,” Sumlin said. “All of our quarterbacks have competed well, and I expect them to continue to push Johnny.”

Manziel turned in a strong showing in last week’s open scrimmage at Kyle Field, and fans will get another chance to see him in action starting 11:30 a.m. Saturday during one more open scrimmage.

His first start won’t be an easy one: on the road against last year’s WAC champion, and a program that led TCU in the fourth quarter of the Poinsettia Bowl. One more reason Sumlin is holding a final open scrimmage.

“We’ll get back in the stadium,” he said of mixing it up in front of fans. “The guys need to play a little bit more.”

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