Pavia and none other than Johnny Manziel have been in close contact, it seems. “He’s giving me what to look out for, what it’s like, how to stay in the process. And, you know, he’s given me some good advice, for sure. He always reaches out, too, checks up on me, makes sure I’m good, and he just, like, he’s just a friend to me, you know? And so he’s giving me some mentorship. He’s been around me, he’s been around my family. He’s just a great person for those that really don’t know him.”

Now, whether taking advice from Manziel is a good or bad idea remains to be seen. After all, Manziel went from one of the most electric College Football quarterbacks of all time to one of the NFL‘s biggest cautionary tales ever.

What is Manziel doing these days?

A natural talent who just didn’t have the professionalism to make it big in the NFL, Manziel is one of the most infamous QBs ever, especially because he was tasked to turn the tide of the Cleveland Browns.

Per People.com, Manziel is now 33 years old. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and hosts the Glory Daze podcast, as doing other media ventures. His last football appearance was in the Fan Controlled Football (FCF), playing for the Memphis Express back in 2022.

Pavia and Manziel’s story couldn’t be more different

Manziel was nicknamed Johnny Football for a reason. One of the best College Football players ever and also a guy who was poised for success. That was Manziel’s hype, and even though he fell on the draft, he was still a first-round pick for the Browns. As for Pavia, while he managed to be Heisman finalist, the Vanderbilt QB is still projected to go from a late-round draft pick to an undrafted prospect.

The only similarity between these two is that they are both seen as undersized players in the NFL. However, Manziel is still much taller than Pavia. Manziel is 5’11”, while Pavia is 5’9 7/8″ tall. Outside of that, there is not much that Manziel can actually tell Pavia about the NFL, since he only had two seasons before being released by the Browns, effectively ending his pro career.

Quarterbacks have given the Browns a tough time in recent years. A few years ago, Johnny Manziel was seen as their savior, yet he never lived up to the expectations.

For Manziel, the franchise is to blame for how his career unfolded. Now, the former quarterback has slammed the Browns by saying he wants them to never achieve success.

Johnny Manziel wants the Browns to never win a game

When Johnny Manziel took over as the Browns’ starting quarterback, fans believed they had finally found the franchise signal-caller they had been searching for. Unfortunately, their search continued despite his arrival.

Manziel was regarded as a top prospect in 2014, which is why the Browns used their 22nd overall pick to acquire him. However, 11 years later, the former quarterback is extremely upset with the club for how they handled his career.

According to Manziel, the Browns created the worst possible scenario for him to develop and showcase his skills. For that reason, the former Texas A&M standout now wants the team to never win a game.

“I think I will always be looked at and viewed at because of how much hype and media and everything that was around me, and the city of Cleveland expecting me to be great, and that ultimately not panning out,” Manziel said on the Nightcap podcast. “I sit here today and I’m like, ‘F*** it, I think I’m going to be pissed at them and hate them forever.’ So, it is what it is, man. No love for the Browns, I’m rooting for 0-16 seasons every season.”

“Was Cleveland the best situation for me to go to? Did they help me, knowing all the things they knew about me, with all the research and everything, did they put me in the best situation? Absolutely not. It was not the right situation for me,” Manziel added. “But when it comes down to it, you take all of that aside and you throw it away, you look in the mirror and you say, I let an amazing opportunity slip. It’s on me.”

Manziel may not realize that the NFL now has 17 games per season, but the message is clear: he holds a lot of anger toward the franchise and believes he could have achieved great things if not for the Browns.

What happened with Johnny Manziel?

For many fans, Johnny “Football” Manziel was one of the most talented prospects in recent history. He had immense skill, but concerns about his mindset were always present.

Manziel struggled with off-the-field issues, including parties during the season and other distractions outside the gridiron. He spent only two years with the Browns and never returned to the NFL afterward.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Manning and the burnt orange. The Longhorns will kickstart the 2025 NCAA season with a litmus test at the home of the reigning national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ranked in first place by the AP Coaches Poll, Texas is facing sky-high expectations. Manning’s individual performance will be under heavy duress, as well. The 21-year-old is considered among the best signal-callers in the nation, though he’s yet to attempt 100 passes in college football. To say he’ll be under pressure would be an understatement.

The eyes of Texas and the entire States will be upon Manning. Still, Manziel has recently dropped a confident statement on the young talent’s performance during the 2025 college football season. It’s definitely a strong vote of confidence from an icon of Texas’ rival, Texas A&M Aggies, and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.

“I think him being the seventh or eighth best in the SEC, I don’t think we’re going to see that,” Johnny Manziel said, as reported by On3. “I think he’s going to live somewhere in the top three of SEC play when it’s all said and done.”

Get ready to rumble

The Longhorns may be the heavy favorites to hoist the natty this season, but no program is handing them a free win. If anything, it will be quite the opposite. There’s nothing every school wants more than to shock the nation and knock Texas from its high horse.

Plus, there aren’t many celebrations players around the country enjoy more than flashing the “Horns Down” sign. On that note, Manziel had a piece of advice for the young quarterback who’s walking into uncharted territory.

“I think with the people that he’s had around him, the way that he was raised, the way that he’s grown up, I think he’s prepared for what he is getting himself into,” Manziel added. “But when it comes down to it, it is SEC football. They are going to scheme for him, they are going to be prepared for him. They know what kind of quarterback he is.

Hook’ Em

Though a sophomore quarterback in the NCAA, Manning isn’t used to being the starting quarterback. He’s taking his first steps as QB1 in Austin. For the first time in his career, opponents will be game-planning for him specifically. He’s no longer the surprise element behind Steve Sarkisian and Quinn Ewers’ offense. He’s the offense now.

Fans in The Forty Acres and across the country are in for a wild ride. The Longhorns are hungry for silverware, and the rest of the league wants to be the one responsible for Texas’ downfall. The 2025 college football campaign is right around the corner, and it can’t arrive in Austin fast enough.

As pictures of four SEC quarterbacks appeared on the screen—Manziel, Bryce Young, Cam Newton, and Joe Burrow—Smart asked those present what they thought these four had in common.

“What do these guys have in common? Speak up,” Kirby Smart said. “Heisman, that’s a good answer. That’s actually true. They’re definitely quarterbacks. That’s the most elementary thing.”

It was then that, from the back of the crowd, someone was heard saying that the four players had in common the fact that they all were champions, something that resonated in Smart’s mind.

“Champions? He ain’t no champion. Champion of what? Champion of fireball,” the Georgia Bulldogs‘ HC joked. “Alright, alright, alright, alright, I’m gonna go here for you. There’s Heisman. Right? They all had great days vs. our defenses. All four of them when off on us in some way shape or form.”

Manziel’s reputation during College

Johnny Manziel‘s talent is beyond debate. However, his off-field behavior has often played against him, causing trouble for the quarterback who was a standout for the Texas A&M Aggies back in 2013.

During an episode of Kirk Herbstreit’s Walks With Ben series, the former Browns player was asked if he regretted anything from his time in college, to which Manziel didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Yeah, I think as, you know, (during) my college football rise, at times, your ego gets the best of you and you maybe think you’re a little bit bigger than the game, and for me, you know, things were so easy and so natural, when I started to hit a little bit of a, you know, where I was doubting my confidence and doubting my abilities as a quarterback a little bit, I think, you know, part of it was just having some adversity, and now dealing with it in the best way as a 24-year-old kid,” the Heisman-winning quarterback said.

“Then, as you grow up and go through life, you learn a lot of things and learn what’s important about life, and I think it is just a process of growing up. … I had a different, you know, life, as well, from the time I stepped foot on campus, and what fame and it all does to you. I think everybody deals with it differently, and mine was the way I handled it. I didn’t always handle it the right way, but I mean, we’re still here today and still doing good things.”

Manziel, Heisman Trophy winner

After a standout season with the Texas A&M Aggies, Johnny Manziel finally received the recognition he deserved, achieving his greatest individual accomplishment during his time in College Football. In 2012, amidst fierce competition, he was chosen as the Heisman Trophy winner.

Two years later, with the 22nd pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the quarterback made the big leap in his career and became a Cleveland Browns player, marking his first experience in the league.

Pressure is escalating for Arch and the Longhorns ahead of the 2025 NCAA season. After exiting the College Football Playoffs in the Semifinal stage (for the second time in as many years), Texas is hoping to finally get over the hump and reach the National Championship Game.

Manning is the name called up to guide the Longhorns to glory, with the heir of football’s royal family set to be the University of Texas in Austin’s leader throughout the upcoming college football season.

Arch is acutely aware of the sky-high expectations surrounding him and Steve Sarkisian’s program, which could become a burden for the 19-year-old sensation. However, Manziel delivered a powerful message with valuable insight for his pivotal season.

“Just enjoy it, you get a chance to grind with your brothers at the college level,” Manziel said, via Chron.com. “Just continue to get better because it’s a game you can never really truly master, you’ve got to continue to work at your craft and continue to work on it.”

Arch Manning’s decision to join Texas

Arch’s brother, Heid Manning, recently revealed one of the biggest reasons for the Longhorns’ quarterback to reject scholarship offers from college football powerhouses ,Alabama and Georgia, instead opting for the Longhorns.

“I remember him asking a lot of questions away from football,” Heid admitted about Arch’s recruitment process, per The Mirror. “Nothing about NIL dollars or the NFL.

“He was asking, ‘Am I going to be able to get away and maybe go somewhere where people don’t recognize me as much?’ And out of Athens, Tuscaloosa and Austin, it’s easily Austin for that.”

Since the first collegiate football game in 1869, played between Rutgers and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), hundreds of players have been hailed as the greatest to ever play the game, while thousands more have left their mark on the sport.

Manziel’s impact on college football went beyond his on-field performance; it was his frenetic lifestyle and captivating attitude that won him the admiration of millions, while also earning the disdain of many others. In short, Manziel had “aura” before the word was even cool.

Manziel played as he lived, hanging on by a thread on the brink of disaster, but ultimately, and especially during his years in College Station, he got away with it. He was an all-out daredevil, his recklessness was on full display on the gridiron. As he led the Aggies on a Cinderella run during his first year in the NCAA, Manziel became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012.

Although Manziel has a strong case to be the greatest of all time in college football, though unrelated his professional career stains his case. Manziel himself believes he isn’t worthy of that title, and instead named former Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton as the best player in CFB history.

“Cam Newton is the best CFB player to ever lace em up #unpopularopinions,” Manziel tweeted on his personal X account in May 2021. “Tim Tebow #2.”

Super-Cam

Newton has made a very strong case to be crowned as the best of all time. His college journey was a rollercoaster in itself. Newton enrolled for the University of Florida and was a part of the 2008 Gators football team that went on to become BCS national champions, grabbing headlines nationwide along the way for non-football related topics.

After a short and often forgotten transfer to Blinn College, a JUCO school in Texas, in 2009, Newton committed to the University of Auburn, where his career would skyrocket. His junior-year, Newton took college football by storm. As the Tigers won the BCS National Championship against Oregon, Newton finished a Heisman season with out-of-this-world numbers.

In 2010, Newton threw 2,854 yards, 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 14 games. Moreover, he rushed for 1,473 yards on the ground, totalling 20 rushing touchdowns, he would also add a receiving score to highlight a historic season, one that may never be replicated again. Newton won the Heisman in 2010 and later went on to become an NFL MVP in 2015, joining an elite group of players to accomplish both feats.

Tim Tebow’s case

Like Manziel, Tim Tebow was given a catchy nickname, showcasing his immense popularity across the country. Dubbed “TebowMania,” the quarterback made a strong case for the GOAT conversation with his career in Gainesville.

While Newton had a magical 2010 season, Tebow’s consistency and longevity during his time at Florida may give him the upper hand. Newton only started for one season, whereas Tebow was a starter for three of his four years, with the exception of his freshman year. Even as a backup, however, he was part of the 2006 national championship-winning Gators team.

A two-time Maxwell Award winner and one-time Heisman Trophy recipient, along with a top-3 finish in another year, Tebow was a dominant force in college football. During his Heisman season in 2007, he posted staggering numbers: 3,286 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, while also adding 895 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

Unresolved

The debate is endless, and to each their own. Vince Young, Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Reggie Bush—the list could go on forever. Fans of different schools will always have differing opinions and will never reach a consensus on who the greatest was.

Moreover, there is no definitive evidence to crown one undisputed GOAT. Thus, it’s largely based on perception, personal preference, and strong statistical backing—though even those can be contested.

Year after year, college football sees superstars emerge, and while many players put on sensational seasons—perhaps due to nostalgia—they don’t seem to match the legacies left behind by greats like Newton, Manziel, and Tebow.

Manziel knows as well as any talented college football star how difficult it is to translate his game into an NFL gridiron. Controversies aside, ‘Johnny Football’ was one of the most electric NCAA QBs of the century, yet he failed to adapt into the highly-competitive environment of professional football.

Manziel has talked about his struggles coming into the league after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns and often mentioned the game-speed difference with the college football level. On that note, he gave Sanders a heads-up on what’s waiting for him in the big leagues.

“I think everybody has to go through it,” Manziel said about Shedeur. “I think a lot of mobile guys will really learn how fast and how quick the game is when you get to the next level. A lot of the things that you do in college, with ease at times, definitely button up and get a lot harder to do whenever you get to the NFL. The speed is just too fast. The D linemen are just too good.”

Manziel believes in Shedeur, though

Although Manziel admitted Sanders will have to adapt fast to the fast-paced defenses, the Texas A&M legendary QB has hope in Deion Sanders’ son to overcome the adversity.

“I believe that Shedeur is still gonna get to that next level and be able to be elusive and be able to make plays. But, as everybody learns when he gets to the NFL, it’s a different beast.”

Though Manziel’s forecast is fairly accurate, Sanders’ archetype is not exactly that of a scrambling QB. The Buffaloes‘ signal-caller excels when his feet are set in the pocket, despite his ability to extend plays. He displays great patience and vision inside the hashes.

Shedeur responds to rumours of possible NFL destination

As the NFL season reaches its final stretch, and with teams focusing more on the upcoming draft class than the playoff bracket, rumors are swirling about where some of the top talents might land.

The New York Giants currently own the 4th overall pick and have benched QB Daniel Jones, clearly signalling a decision to move on from the former 6th overall selection from the 2019 Draft. Shedeur commented on the possibility of joining the G-men in NYC.

“Come on, man, I don’t know,” Shedeur said. “Nah I think it’s just up to the staff or up to the coaches at that point, I don’t know—no comment, that’s just a safe route for me. Just no comment.”

The Hurricanes played with fire all season long and, against Georgia Tech, they ultimately got burned. The Canes have been walking on a thin plank, getting away with narrow victories week in and week out. Cam Ward and the offense seemed to be at their best when their backs were against the wall. However, against the Yellow Jackets Miami dug itself a hole too big to climb out of.

Heisman candidate Cam Ward completed 25 passes out of 39 attempts for 348 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. He had a fumble, though and the Canes star posted his season-low QB rating of 58.8.

After the game, college football icon Johnny Manziel issued a strong warning to the Hurricanes, and Ward about their risky playstyle in which they allow opponents to jump on to early leads.

“It’s just how many times are they gonna get away with this in these close games? That’s just a recipe for disaster,” Manziel stated, via On3. “It could have happened multiple times, and it’s a little bit of a pattern, of what they’ve been as a team. It’s like they come alive whenever they’re down 7 points and have to come back.”

Manziel warns the Hurricanes about this pattern going into the Playoffs

Miami is well within reach of the ACC title game. If they win out, they’re in. However, Manziel admitted he is confident the Canes will make the postseason, but he has his worries on whether they can compete against the top programs in the NCAA.

“You’re gonna run into a team in the College Football Playoff who’s not gonna let up, and you’re not gonna be able to come back from the deficit.”

Cristobal’s message to the team

The loss to Georgia Tech was definitely frustrating for the school in Coral Gables. However, their shot at the ACC title game is still in front of them. Head coach Mario Cristobal has sent a clear message to his team.

“Got to own it. Got to own every bit of it, all of us. In this profession, when you take one on the chin like that, you’ve got to be a grown man, you got to own it. There’s no finger pointing, you just own it. And you don’t talk about it very much, you could just go do something about it.“

Vanderbilt made headlines across college football by taking down the nation’s top team. Diego Pavia put on a stellar performance and raised many eyebrows on the Crimson Tide’s defense. Kalen DeBoer’s defensive unit looked lost on the field.

After the thrilling win in the NCAA, which saw fans storm the field and bring down the goalposts, Pavia revealed a surprising source of motivation behind his play.

“Johnny Football, in his video he said he’s nothing to play with,” Pavia said. “I think the same way about myself. Just every time I step on the field, I feel like I’m the best player on the field. Every single time, that I just gotta keep showing up. It’s God’s timing.”

Pavia finished the day with 252 passing yards, along with two touchdowns and 56 yards on the ground. Vandy’s QB inspiration on Manziel certainly paid off, whether he also mimicked Johnny Football’s celebrations is a story for another day.

Alabama suffers huge misstep

Entering the week as the top-ranked team in the AP Poll, Alabama’s shocking loss has sent them tumbling in the rankings. Now at No. 7, DeBoer’s program will face heavy scrutiny after such a stunning defeat.

Alabama’s playoff hopes are suddenly in jeopardy. While their 4-1 record remains strong, this unexpected conference loss to a weaker opponent could have lasting repercussions. Alabama can’t afford to linger on this defeat for long, though, as the South Carolina Gamecocks will be in Tuscaloosa for their SEC matchup on October 12th.

Quinn Ewers sustained an injury on Saturday night, although he is not expected to be out for considerable time. The Longhorns‘ offense erupted after Manning’s entrance and the performance raised some questions on whether Ewers’ spot is at stake.

Johnny Manziel knows a thing or two about commanding a football program in the state of Texas, though he did so at a different school. And as the discussion ongoes, the former Texas A&M quarterback made his stance known.

“I think obviously what he’s done the last few years there, and even this year, this is very much still Quinn’s job,” Manziel said, per On3.

‘Johnny Football’ speaks on Arch Manning

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner addressed Arch Manning’s play as the backup QB stole the show in his last outing. Despite his limited playtime Arch showcased his skills and some have even snuck him into consideration for the Heisman. That seems far fetched, but Arch has definitely put the NCAA on notice.

“For Arch to come in and do what he did that early, read the play to perfection and just outrace everyone to the end zone. I think it’s something that when you’re watching on Saturday, everyone’s eyes kind of opened up a little bit.“

Manning is still considered the backup QB, and to call him a Heisman candidate, let alone favorite, would be a longshot. However, the young freshman continues to impress and evolve and has already turned heads all over the college football landscape.

Quarterbacks who set big records in the NFL often get all the attention after they retire. However, every once in a while, a failed quarterback grabs attention. In a recent Netflix documentary, a former NFL quarterback admitted to something horrifying things.

Game tapes are essential for all players, not just quarterbacks. Players should review tapes of their own games and games from other teams to improve their play. Some players lie about watching game tapes. For example, JaMarcus Russell once claimed that he had watched the tapes his team gave him, even though they were blank.

Netflix has many documentaries about famous NFL players who won championships and awards. However, this documentary is unique because it focuses on the life of a college quarterback who failed in the NFL.

Who was the former QB who admitted never having seen tapes?

The former quarterback who admitted to never watching game tapes is Johnny Manziel. In the documentary, Manziel reveals that he never watched tapes, saying ‘zero’ with his hand. This could have been one of the reasons for his downfall in the NFL. Manziel also confesses to other personal issues, such as illegal drugs use.

The documentary about Manziel’s life reveals many personal details that may have contributed to his failed career. It is a cautionary tale for young athletes who may think they are too talented to work hard.