Heisman Trophy 2012: Texas A&M Full Steam Ahead with Johnny Manziel

The race is on...although it's quieter than it has been in previous years.

Texas A&M redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel—better known as "Johnny Football" to the masses—isn't allowed to speak to the media, due to head coach Kevin Sumlin's policy on not allowing freshmen in front of reporters.

That didn't stop Texas A&M from capitalizing on the Johnny Football hysteria.

The university launched an entire web page dedicated to Manziel's late-season push for the Heisman Trophy. 

The website includes quotes from voters, key stats that emphasize how dominant he has been and a sizzling highlight video set to Kanye West's "Amazin'."

Sumlin may not let Manziel talk to the media, but Manziel has certainly let his play this season speak for itself.

He leads the SEC in rushing with 101.4 yards per game, rushing touchdowns with 15, total offense with 379.4 yards per game and completion percentage at 67.6 percent.

Those are video game numbers, to say the least.

Of all of the talking points mentioned on the website, the one that stands out most of all is the fact that, with that average of 379.4 yards per game, Manziel averages more in total offense than 40 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs.

That's astounding.

Sumlin may not let Manziel talk to the media, but Manziel has certainly let his play this season speak for itself.

The Heisman Trophy is supposed to go to the "most outstanding player in college football." That's subjective, and varies from voter to voter. But there's no doubt that Manziel has played himself into the discussion, and now his football program is doing what it can to give him a boost.

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