Who Starts If Johnny Manziel Is Unavailable?
By Kyle Kensing
Sept 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A
Suddenly, a quarterback competition for second string is among college football’s most compelling storylines.
Kevin Sumlin said in his Monday press conference that reigning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel will take first team snaps as planned, pending the findings of an NCAA investigation. He added that developing and preparing a No. 2 was a fall camp priority, regardless of Manziel’s status. Bear in mind, injury is always a real possibility and a reserve must be ready to step in seamlessly.
Obviously, Manziel’s eligibility changes the dynamic and urgency of said preparation tremendously. Right now, the allegations against Manziel are just that: allegations. But a contingency plan is vital.
Jameill Showers was Manziel’s top competitor to replace Ryan Tannehill last off-season. Showers transferred to UTEP in January.
That leaves Matt Joeckel as the only other quarterback on the Aggies’ roster with game experience. Matt Joeckel is the brother of the Aggies’ former standout offensive lineman and No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL draft, Luke Joeckel.
Joeckel appeared in five games last season. He completed 5-11 pass attempts for 42 yards.
He was the third “OR” first stringer on the Aggies’ depth chart last summer, and is listed second on the team’s current depth chart. Joeckel was a three-star prospect out of Arlington (Texas) High, and a Mike Sherman recruit. He was brought on to run the Pro Set for which Sherman’s teams were known.
Behind Joeckel is redshirt freshman Matt Davis. Davis was signed in Sumlin’s initial recruiting class out of Houston Klein Forest.
Rivals.com rated him a four-star prospect, and the No. 3 overall dual-threat recruit in the 2012 class. His style lining up more with that of Manziel could be an X-factor in this competition.
True freshmen Kenny Hill and Connor Feist, redshirt freshman Conner McQueen and junior scout team member Ace Fierro are the other Aggie quarterbacks on the roster.