Johnny Manziel

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Johnny Manziel achieved something truly remarkable in 2012 by becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, a feat that had never been accomplished in the award's 78-year history. His dominance that season was so profound that he swept nearly every major individual award given to college football players, including the Manning Award, Davey O'Brien Award, and Maxwell Award. He set records for total offense and passing touchdowns by a freshman, proving that age was no barrier to elite performance. His ability to combine passing accuracy with explosive rushing ability redefined the expectations for quarterbacks in the modern era. Although his professional career did not match his college success, his impact on college football culture remains undeniable.

AwardsJohnny Manziel's award history is concentrated almost entirely in his collegiate career. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2012, becoming the first freshman to receive the honor. That same year, he swept major quarterback awards including the Manning Award and Davey O'Brien Award. He also earned SEC Male Athlete of the Year, Walter Camp Player of the Year, and the Maxwell Award. His performance in the 2012 season was so dominant that he was named First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC. He did not win any major professional awards during his time in the NFL or other leagues.

Honours & Distinctions

Texas Sports Hall of Fame Nomination

Texas Sports Hall of Fame·2026

Nominated for induction due to his contributions to Texas athletic history.

Guinness World Record

Guinness World Records·2012

Held the record for most rushing yards by a freshman quarterback in a season until broken.

Key to the City of Tyler

City of Tyler·2012

Awarded the key to the city in recognition of his achievements.

Key to the City of College Station

City of College Station·2012

Awarded the key to the city in celebration of his Heisman win.

Rankings & Lists

#26

Top 100 NFL Draft Busts of All Time

Bleacher Report·2026

Top 10 Most Controversial NFL Draft Picks

ESPN·2023

Magazine Covers

Sports Illustrated

December 2012

The Next Great Thing

Rolling Stone

January 2013

Johnny Football: The Wild Card

March 2014

The Rise and Fall of Johnny Football

Vanity Fair

November 2013

The New Faces of Sports

Records & Feats

First Freshman Heisman Winner

Historic First·2012

Became the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy.

Most Rushing Yards by a Freshman QB

Chart Record·2012

Set the record for most rushing yards by a freshman quarterback in a single season with 1,001 yards.

First SEC Player with 3k Pass / 1k Rush

Career Milestone·2012

Became the first player in SEC history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.