Can Johnny Manziel Win the Heisman Trophy for a Second Time?

In the seventy-seven year history of the Heisman Trophy, it’s happened one time. Archie Griffin, a former running back from Ohio State is the only repeat winner of the most coveted individual award in collegiate football (‘74-‘75). In recent years, there’s been more talk of possible Heisman repeat winners with Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Mark Ingram hoisting the trophy as sophomores. Yet, none of them were able to repeat Griffin’s feat. Can Johnny Manziel, Heisman’s first freshman winner, raise the trophy for a second time?At first glance, one might say “Yes! Without a doubt!” Manziel broke the SEC record in 2012 for total offense with 5,116 yards…as a redshirt freshman. As the season progressed, Johnny Football’s prowess on the field grew with each game. He seemed to find pressure situations as a prime opportunity to demonstrate his ability to evade would-be tacklers and scamper for the end zone. In what has been considered his “Heisman Moment” he seemingly made something out of nothing as he fumbled the ball, recovered it himself and subsequently threw a touchdown.Yet, as with the previous sophomore Heisman winners, the opportunity for repeat becomes an even more daunting goal than escaping a four-man rush. Preseason picks for the 2012 didn’t have Johnny Manziel’s name anywhere in the Top 25. Just as in the year before when Robert Griffin, III, emerged as unforeseen winner, Cam Newton in 2010 and Mark Ingram in 2009.Does the pressure of being a pre-season Heisman choice affect the player’s ability on the field? Possibly. Opposing defenses study the schemes, breakdown film and hope to be more prepared the second time they face them (Nick Saban anyone?) You can bet first time coaches in the SEC like Arkansas’ Bret Bielema and Gus Malzahn’s Auburn squad will be aiming to prove their worth by doing what very few others could: contain Manziel. What also must be taken into consideration is the loss of A&M’s offensive tackle Luke Joeckel to the NFL and former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s move to the head coaching position at Texas Tech.Outside pressures also can factor into their ability to focus all their attention on the football field. The target on their backs grows infinitely larger as their name is mentioned more in the media. For Johnny Manziel, this seems to be the case more than ever with past Heisman winners. In the months since his winning the trophy, Manziel has allowed his Twitter feed to become fodder for those questioning his maturity and ability to handle his newfound fame. He doesn’t attend classes with the other students at Texas A&M, choosing rather to take them online. Manziel’s been on the sidelines of NBA games, surrounded by mounds of money at gambling establishments and most recently publically ridiculed College Station over an apparent parking violation.Of the last five winners of the Heisman Trophy, outside of Manziel, Tim Tebow probably was the most publically revered and scrutinized. Yet, his intense focus on the sport did not wane. But even with his innate ability to motivate his teammates, with his famous “I promise” speech after the Ole Miss loss in 2008, Tebow could never get any closer in winning another Heisman than his third place finish behind Colt McCoy and winner Sam Bradford in 2008.In order for Manziel to repeat as a Heisman winner his athletic skills are going to have to be as least as proficient as they were in 2012, if not more so. But also his ability to handle the pressure from not only within the confines of the football stadium, but also those outside in the “real world” will have to be more proficient as well. September 14, 2013 at College Station will be the first real test for the former when the Aggies face two-time defending BCS Champions, the University of Alabama. The recent few weeks for Manziel don’t speak well for the latter.Can Johnny Manziel repeat as a Heisman Winner? Who would’ve thought he would’ve won it as a freshman? Anything is possible, but in reality, seeing Manziel raise the trophy again in 2013 is not very probable. - Amy Norris@amyjane72amy.projectcfb@gmail.com
Source:http://projectcfb.blogspot.com/2013/07/can-johnny-manziel-win-heisman-trophy.html

Can Johnny Manziel Win the Heisman Trophy for a Second Time? Images

... win the Heisman Trophy. Can he become the second two-time winner
(300 x 411 - 26.55 KB - jpeg)

... dad,” Manziel said after hugging his parents and kid sister. - espn
(630 x 354 - 41.58 KB - jpeg)

... win college football's Heisman Trophy, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in New
(600 x 774 - 80.09 KB - jpeg)

Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel named first freshman Heisman Trophy winner ...
(380 x 282 - 124.19 KB - jpeg)