Johnny Manziel could “possibly” go pro next year, he says

by SportsDayDFW

He could be a hot commodity even though he doesn't fit the prototypical pro QB mold.

Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) looks at the field against the Sam Houston State Bearkats during the first half at Kyle Field.

A year ago, Texas A&M fans weren’t even sure if Johnny Manziel would see the field as a redshirt freshman. Now, they’ll have to worry if they can keep their freshman phenom around beyond 2013.

After dominating the SEC and taking home the Heisman Trophy last season, Manziel has earned praise from NFL pundits who believe he could be a high draft pick as early as next year. And during an interview with ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit this week, Manziel suggested that he’d at least consider an early NFL move should the opportunity arise.

“You never know how things might play out,” Manziel said. “If an opportunity comes to go to the NFL, you have to look at that just like you have to evaluate everything else in your life.”

The NFL requires prospects to be at least three years removed from high school before they are eligible for the draft, which makes many college players have to wait until after their junior seasons. But because Manziel redshirted his first year at Texas A&M, he’ll meet the league’s three-year requirement after the 2013 season despite only being a sophomore.

And with the recent NFL success of shorter quarterbacks like Seattle's Russell Wilson and New Orleans' Drew Brees, Manziel (who’s listed at 6-foot-1) could be a hot commodity next April despite not fitting the prototypical mold of a pro QB.

So could 2013 be Manziel’s final year in College Station?

“Possibly,” Manziel told Herbstreit. “For me, the NFL is a thing that’s always been kind of like the Heisman. It’s just been a dream as a kid to be able to have an opportunity to even be talked about playing in the NFL. So for me, I’m enjoying my time [at Texas A&M] for sure, and if [the NFL] comes calling, just like anybody else, the decision will have to be made."