Jameis Winston vs Johnny Manziel: Why The Former Heisman Winning Aggies QB Did Not Vote For Himself
ByJohnny Manziel could have made history if he won his second Heisman Trophy, but not even he thought he was the rightful winner, nor did he vote himself the runner up.
Speaking to reporters in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Manziel said he was going to keep his ballot a secret, at first. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Manziel later revealed he voted himself third, after Florida State's quarterback Jameis Winston and Boston College's tailback Andre Williams.
"I'm going to follow the Heisman Trust on that one and keep it quiet," Manziel said, admit he did not vote himself first overall despite being allowed to. "I did not vote for myself in first or second place."
Billy Liucci, a beat writer who follows the Texas A&M Aggies revealed Manziel's ballot, confirming his top two choices.
Winston did win the award, becoming the second freshman to do so (after Manziel, of course) and the youngest person ever to win at just under 20 years old. Winston was favored heavily for a majority of the season. Despite Manziel seemingly putting up even bigger numbers than he did as a freshman, Winston still had the statistical edge, in addition to leading the Seminoles to the BCS National Championship game.
Winston threw for 3,820 yards, 38 touchdowns and ten interceptions with a completion percentage of 67.9 percent. In Manziel's freshman year, he threw for 3,706 yards, completing 68 percent of his passes. Manziel only threw for 26 touchdowns as a freshman, compared to nine interceptions, but scored 21 times on the ground and rushed for 1,410 yards.
Winston does not seem to be the same type of runner, though he has shown athleticism throughout the season. Now that the past two Heisman winners are both freshman and apparently on the fast track for stardom and, presumably, the NFL, much debate has sparked as to who is the better QB.
While it may be argued any which way, Manziel has been through what Winston is sure to experience. According to the Associated Press, the previous Heisman winner had some advice for the new one as he will automatically become the face of the sport.
"Life's going to change," Manziel said. "This is an extremely big deal."