Johnny Manziel

Johnny Football's rise to stardom is worthy of a made-for-TV drama. He entered the 2012 season as a little-known backup who reportedly considered transferring in the wake of a potential suspension for an off-field brawl. However, he avoided being suspended and won the quarterback job. From there, the rest isn't just history - Manziel RE-WROTE history. He went on to throw for 3,419 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 1,181 more yards and 19 touchdowns - including six 1,00-yard rushing games in 2012. The amazing season turned Manziel into the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in history. What followed was a seventh-month offseason in which Manziel's maturity was called into question often. His family still has significant wealth from a legacy in the oil industry, and Manziel was spotted everywhere from Pebble Beach to Cabo to choice seats at NBA playoff games. More controversial, however, was Manziel's use of Twitter, several documented incidents involving alcohol and leaving the Manning Passing Academy early in the summer of 2013. Manziel was again invited to the Heisman trophy ceremonies following the 2013 season, but was not considered a legitimate threat to repeat despite another stellar season because of the extremely high bar he set and the inability of Texas A&M to remain a Top 10 program. Manziel capped his career with another signature performance, rallying the Aggies from a 38-17 halftime deficit to beat Duke, 52-28, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve. Manziel finished his two-year stint as a starter just seven yards shy of 10,000. One of the most dynamic performers in college football history must now prove he can continue his magic in a league even tougher than the SEC. He maintains flamboyant, spontaneous, vociferous style on and off the field, which concerns some who question his focus. But that's the package. After not throwing at the combine, he raised the bar on how to dazzle at a pro day workout, which was attended by former President George H.W. Bush. Otherwise, he has amazing football instincts, and a very good arm with great accuracy. Can he produce in the NFL? The honest answer is, for now, nobody really knows.

despite ordinary size, possesses large hands that texas a&m coach kevin sumlin has compared to another undersized quarterback - drew brees. "having those big hands not only helps tote the ball in traffic, but he can basically go all through his motion and still pull the ball back," george whitfield, a private quarterbacks coach who helps train manziel, told cbssports.com's bruce feldman in 2013. whitfield also has worked with several elite nfl quarterbacks, including ben roethlisberger, cam newton and andrew luck. all three have size 14 shoes. the 6-foot manziel wears 15s.

Proven production and ability to produce in big moments.

weaknesses

Tendency to fall off his throws, even when standing flat-footed with no pressure. In falling away rather than stepping into his throws, passes lack consistency accuracy.

willing to throw passes late and over the middle, and relies on his wideouts to make plays in jump-ball situations. possesses enough arm strength to make every nfl throw but does not own a howitzer and projects best in a timing-based offense that utilizes rather than limits his creativity.

String of off-field issues brings maturity level and ability to handle the rigors of being the "face" of an NFL franchise into serious question.

manziel, of course, will be entering the nfl with much more fanfare than garcia, an undrafted free agent out of san jose state who spent four years in the cfl before catching on with the san francisco 49ers, but the hype that follows johnny football is one of the issues of concern for scouts. further, manziel is entering the nfl at a time when dual-threat quarterbacks are preferred rather than admonished for their creativity and playmaking abilities.

--Rob Rang

actually more accurate on the move than he is standing flat-footed in the pocket and made significant improvement as a traditional pocket passer in 2013. improved velocity and placement on intermediate and deep routes in his second season as the starter.

Highly competitive performer, who despite his hype as a party-goer, is respected for his work ethic and commitment to the team.

strengths

Ranks among the more dynamic college football players in recent history. Remarkable maneuverability. Excellent agility and burst, as well as straight-line speed, but what makes Manziel so difficult to contain is his vision. Seems to possess eyes in the back of his head, showing incredible spatial awareness of those around him.

compares to

Jeff Garcia, retired - Like the 6-1, 205-pound Garcia, Manziel does not possess ideal size but his unique maneuverability, vision, competitiveness and underrated arm talent could mimic the four-time Pro Bowler's success in the NFL.

Coached by Mark Smith at Kerrville Tivy High School

highly-decorated prep player, named a Parade All-American and the National High School Coach Association Football Player of the Year

Named the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Player of the Year after a spectacular senior season that saw him compile 228-of-347 (65.7%) passing for 3,609 yards with 45 TDs and 5 INTs; 170 carries for 1,674 yards and 30 TD's; 1 TD reception; 1 kickoff return for a TD

as a senior, Manziel earned a variety of honors: District 28-4A MVP (unanimous selection); Class 4A First Team All-State (AP); SA Express-News Offensive Player of the Year; Sub-5A First Team All-Area (SA Express-News); No. 1 QB in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football; DCTF Top 300, PrepStar All-Region; Superprep All-Region. As a junior, Manziel received All-San Antonio Area Offensive Player of the Year honors and District 27-4A MVP honors after posting 218-of-356 passing for 2,903 yards with 19 TDs and 5 INTs; 242 carries for 1,544 yards and 34 TDs; 5 receptions for 152 yards and 2 TD's

as a sophomore, he had 717 rushing yards and 12 TDs; 59-of-88 passing for 922 yards with 10 TDs and 0 INTs; 19 receptions for 357 yards and 1 TD

chose Texas A&M over Oregon and Stanford.

Johnny Manziel is the son of Michelle and Paul Manziel

was born Dec. 6, 1992

sports management major.