Former Texas A&M star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel isnât just reminiscing about his playing days anymore. Heâs stepping right back into the spotlight of SEC football.Â
As On3 noted, on Night Cap, Manziel revealed he recently had dinner with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and will be on the Commodoresâ sideline when they face Alabama this weekend in Tuscaloosa.Â
âI went to dinner with Diego Pavia tonight,â Manziel said. âThey hungry. And guess what? Iâm going to Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Saturday, and Iâm on the Vandy sideline. âBring it onâ is what them boys are saying.â
This isnât just a random connection. Manziel and Paviaâs relationship goes back to last season, when Pavia led Vanderbilt to one of the biggest shocks in recent college football memory, a 40-35 upset over Alabama in Nashville.
In that win, Pavia threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns while adding 56 rushing yards, drawing direct comparisons to Manzielâs own breakout performance against Alabama in 2012.
Reminiscing on Johnny FootballÂ
After that huge upset, Manziel congratulated Pavia personally:
âWhat an awesome game, so fun to watch,â Manziel said at the time. âCouldnât be happier for you⦠had to feel like 2012 for me.âÂ
Manziel knows exactly what it takes to stun Alabama in their own backyard. In 2012, he threw for 253 passing yards, two touchdowns, while also rushing for 92 yards in a 29-24 Texas A&M win over No. 1 Alabama. This game cemented his Heisman campaign and remains one of the most iconic moments in modern college football.Â
Johnny Football was one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football history. Not only was he the first freshman quarterback to ever win the Heisman Trophy, he redefined the way the position could be played.
He had a fearless, improvisational style that captivated fans across the country. His ability to extend plays, scramble for big gains, and deliver highlight-reel throws made him must-see television and turned Texas A&M into a national sensation almost overnight.Â
Similar to Vanderbilt this Saturday who are double-digit underdogs, Johnny Manziel’s Aggies were 14-point underdogs against No. 1 Alabama in their game back in 2012.Â
Manziel looks to help Vanderbilt pull off that result this weekend.Â
Alabama Finding Its Way Under Kalen DeBoer
After Alabama lost their opening game against Florida State, there was a state of panic around the Crimson Tide football program and the future of Kalen Deboer as head coach.Â
However, that has all changed in the last few weeks. Since their opening loss, Alabama has won three straight games, including a massive road win against No. 5 ranked Georgia. It was Deboerâs biggest win in his first two seasons at Alabama.Â
Fans and media members have restored their confidence in this Crimson Tide squad, once again viewing them as legitimate contenders to win a national championship.Â
They have a very tough road ahead of them though. The Crimson Tide will face five ranked opponents in their next six games. That stretch begins this Saturday at home against No. 16 Vanderbilt.Â
The big question: can Johnny Manzielâs presence on Vanderbilt’s sideline spark another upset and quiet the Tide faithful?
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