On The Trail: mariota-manziel-111412
How Johnny Manziel ended up an Aggie 
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
8:30
AM ET
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Tom Rossley and Mark Smith knew each other well. Rossley, the former Texas A&M quarterbacks coach, recruited the San Antonio and surrounding areas when Smith was the head coach at Kerrville (Texas) Tivy, a small town outside of San Antonio.
Smith generally enjoyed his conversations with Rossley when the two visited and felt comfortable enough to be bluntly honest with him, particularly when it came to the subject of Smith's then-star quarterback, Johnny Manziel.
Rossley recruited Manziel while at Texas A&M and liked virtually everything he saw, from his athleticism to his throwing ability. Like many college coaches, there's a wish list when it comes to quarterbacks, and height is on that list. That wasn't Manziel's strong suit, as the dual-threat quarterback stood just 6-foot-1.
Smith generally enjoyed his conversations with Rossley when the two visited and felt comfortable enough to be bluntly honest with him, particularly when it came to the subject of Smith's then-star quarterback, Johnny Manziel.
Rossley recruited Manziel while at Texas A&M and liked virtually everything he saw, from his athleticism to his throwing ability. Like many college coaches, there's a wish list when it comes to quarterbacks, and height is on that list. That wasn't Manziel's strong suit, as the dual-threat quarterback stood just 6-foot-1.
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Unheralded recruit Mariota leads Ducks
November, 14, 2012
11/14/12
6:30
AM ET
By
Brandon P. Oliver | ESPN.com
In June 2010, a pair of overlooked quarterback recruits committed to the Oregon Ducks within three days of each other. Two years later, they have taken the college football world by storm.
In August, few outside of College Station, Texas, had heard of Johnny Manziel. Outside of Eugene, Ore., even fewer knew about Marcus Mariota. Now in November, Manziel is generating Heisman buzz after a historic upset of Alabama, while Mariota is piloting a Ducks squad that seems destined for the BCS title game.
Manziel and Mariota committed to the Ducks within days of attending Oregon's summer camp, but neither raised so much as an eyebrow. Instead, Ducks fans were more focused on Jerrard Randall, a quarterback rated No. 126 in the 2011 ESPN 150 from Florida who committed in mid-June. Randall was the No. 8 QB in the class, while Manziel was No. 39. Mariota? He was ranked 123rd and had only a Memphis offer before the Ducks came calling.
In August, few outside of College Station, Texas, had heard of Johnny Manziel. Outside of Eugene, Ore., even fewer knew about Marcus Mariota. Now in November, Manziel is generating Heisman buzz after a historic upset of Alabama, while Mariota is piloting a Ducks squad that seems destined for the BCS title game.
Manziel and Mariota committed to the Ducks within days of attending Oregon's summer camp, but neither raised so much as an eyebrow. Instead, Ducks fans were more focused on Jerrard Randall, a quarterback rated No. 126 in the 2011 ESPN 150 from Florida who committed in mid-June. Randall was the No. 8 QB in the class, while Manziel was No. 39. Mariota? He was ranked 123rd and had only a Memphis offer before the Ducks came calling.
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