ESPN.com - Manziel is 'not leaning toward NFL'

ESPN.com: College Football Rumors

Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Manziel is 'not leaning toward NFL'

By Brent Sobleski

UPDATE: Speculation surrounding Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel making the leap to the NFL after his redshirt sophomore campaign continues to grow. One of the primary reasons is Manziel is already discussing the possibility.

“For me, being a shorter guy, a chance at the NFL, at a high draft pick, that’s something that I’ve only ever dreamed about,” Manziel told Jimmy Burch of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. “The NFL, … it’s changing. There’s a lot of things that can be done with more mobile guys.”

Manziel is wise to look at the NFL's evolving offenses and how his skills could translate to the next level. Athletic quarterbacks that can do more things based on college offenses is the hot topic around the league. Manziel certainly fits the mold and could capitalize.

Manziel is already protecting his assets.

"Manziel confirmed on Tuesday that his family is in the process of securing an insurance policy in case an injury were to prevent him from playing pro football," Sam Khan Jr. of GigEmNation.com reported.

An insurance policy isn't the ultimate indicator of Manziel's future. The Heisman Trophy winner said he isn't leaning towards the NFL prior to his sophomore campaign.

"Not leaning toward NFL right now. Just like anything in life, will have to evaluate it but won't worry about that now," Manziel reiterated to Gabe Bock of TexAgs Radio.

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The cliché reads, "Where there is smoke, there is fire." The saying may not be entirely applicable to Johnny Manziel's situation at Texas A&M, but NFL smoke rings are already coming from College Station.

"Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will leave school early after 2013 and be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles," Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman predicted.

Bohls took it a step further with his "crazy prediction" by naming an exact NFL team that will choose Manziel, but there is some truth in the possibility of Manziel leaving school after next season. Manziel is a redshirt sophomore this season. The NFL requires potential draftees to be out of high school for three years. This will be Manziel's third year at Texas A&M, and he will have a decision to make after the season.

A lot will be dictated by how Manziel plays this season. Most predict he won't repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner. But if he puts together another stellar campaign, the NFL will certainly be waiting. If he doesn't, then he has two more years on campus to right the ship.

Edward Aschoff

Manziel's looming NFL decision

"Manziel finished the interview talking about the NFL, which is an awkward conversation for anyone in his position. He needs only one more year at A&M before he can make the jump to the NFL, and he didn’t tiptoe around the fact that he’s considered making the leap after the 2013 season.
He knows it could be just another distraction to weigh him down, but Manziel isn't shy about the NFL. Manziel spoke honestly, and that honesty will keep it from being a real distraction.

'For me, I’m enjoying my time here for sure, and if that comes calling, just like anybody else, the decision will have to be made,' he said. 'But like I said, I’m very happy here and very happy with Coach Sumlin and college football. I love it.'"