The Untold Secrets Behind Texas A&M’s Heisman Legend That Changed the Game Forever

As the night sky readies itself for the unveiling of college football’s crown jewel—the 91st Heisman Trophy—four electrifying athletes are poised to etch their names in history. We’re talking about Indiana’s dynamic quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State’s own prodigy Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt’s rising star Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame’s powerhouse running back Jeremiyah Love. Each of these standout performers not only propelled their teams to impressive double-digit victory seasons but also showed grit and determination worthy of the sport’s highest honor. Mendoza and Sayin have already punched their tickets to the College Football Playoff, riding high on Indiana’s stunning Big Ten championship triumph that secured them the coveted No. 1 seed with a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding Notre Dame’s Love has split opinions, especially when stacked up against legendary Texas A&M alum Johnny Manziel’s unforgettable 2012 season—a benchmark of excellence for dual-threat quarterbacks. Though Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed didn’t make the cut, the conversations and comparisons keep the narrative sizzling as the football world waits with bated breath. It’s a thrilling intersection of past greatness and future promise that’s captured my attention—and yours, I’m sure. LEARN MORE

On Saturday night, the 91st Heisman winner will be announced, as Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the four finalists who will contend for the most prestigious award college football has to offer.

All four players led their teams to double-digit wins. At the same time, Mendoza and Sayin are headed to the College Football Playoff after Indiana’s Big Ten Championship win over the Buckeyes vaulted the Hoosiers to the No. 1-seed, receiving a first-round bye in the CFP.

For Texas A&M fans, former star quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the program’s second Heisman Trophy after his historic 2012 redshirt freshman season, was back in the news after Bleacher Report revealed back-to-back rushing comparisons to Jeremiyah Love’s prolific 2025 rushing production, which led to him becoming a Heisman finalist.

Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns, while rushing for an incredible 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns on 201 carries, averaging seven yards per carry. Love, whose entire job is running and catching the ball, ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 199 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

This takes nothing away from Jeremiyah Love’s incredible season, but is just another reason Johnny Manziel’s 2012 season is still regarded as the most outstanding Heisman-winning campaign, outside of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton’s 2010 Heisman season.

After throwing for 2,932 yards and 25 touchdowns, Texas A&M star QB Marcel Reed did not make the Heisman finalist cut.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Why former Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel was a generational dual-threat