Strike a Pose - Heisman Style

NEW YORK (AP) - Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first freshman to win college football's most prized individual award. The redshirt freshman beat out Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein.

A few days after turning 20, Manziel became the most inexperienced player to win the Heisman. Adrian Peterson had come closest as a freshman, finishing second to Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart in 2004.

Manziel is the second player from Texas A&M to win the Heisman, and first since John David Crow 1957.

Manziel broke 2010 Heisman winner Cam Netwon's Southeastern Conference record with 4,600 total yards this season, led the Aggies to a 10-2 in their first SEC season and orchestrated an upset at No. 1 Alabama in November that stamped him as legit.


QUOTES ABOUT JOHNNY MANZIEL WINNING THE HEISMAN TROPHY:

Former Texas A&M quarterback Bucky Richardson:

“Johnny is obviously a special player. To accomplish what he has accomplished is really remarkable, regardless of his classification. But the fact that he was able to win the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football, as a freshman is historical and spectacular. It’s been a very special year for him, Coach Sumlin, the entire Aggie football program and our university. To be in a new league with a new coach and a new quarterback and to have this much success it’s absolutely mindboggling, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Former Texas A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen:

“As a former player and a former assistant coach, I am so proud of what Johnny has accomplished and the excitement he has brought to our university. Because I had a chance to be with him as an assistant coach last year, I also know that you can’t ask for a better person to represent Texas A&M and you couldn’t select a more deserving winner of the Heisman Trophy because of how hard he has worked. He doesn’t sound like a 19- or 20-year-old kid when he talks, and he is certainly way beyond his years in the way he plays. I am just so proud of him because of how much positive recognition he has brought to Texas A&M. All Aggies around the world should be really proud of this outstanding young man.”

Former Texas A&M head coach R.C. Slocum:

“Johnny is the most exciting and productive quarterback I have ever seen. The fact that he is a freshman makes his performance even more amazing. He came out of nowhere and won the Heisman on the field with his unbelievable play.”

Former Texas A&M wide receiver Terrence Murphy:

“It fires me up to be a letterman of Texas A&M University and to see what Johnny and Coach Sumlin are doing on the national college football scene. I always told people that Cam Newton was the most dominant offensive player I have ever watched play college football. But the crazy thing about that statement is that Manziel broke all his records as a freshman and still has three years left at Texas A&M. I am sure the rich tradition of A&M football is in good hands with head coach Kevin Sumlin and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel leading us into the future. Congrats to Johnny and the whole 2012 fightin’ Texas Aggie football team.”