NIL
What NIL would have meant for Johnny Manziel’s legacy
The moment that former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel stepped on the gridiron, all eyes instantly gravitated toward him. His spectacular acts of magic created moments that will be remembered forever, highlights that gained millions of views and etched his name into history. Manziel rejuvenated Aggieland into one of the top programs in just two […]

The moment that former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel stepped on the gridiron, all eyes instantly gravitated toward him.
His spectacular acts of magic created moments that will be remembered forever, highlights that gained millions of views and etched his name into history. Manziel rejuvenated Aggieland into one of the top programs in just two years at the helm, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.
It was not all sunshine and rainbows for Manziel and the Aggies, however. Shortly after winning the Heisman, the NCAA investigated him for signing autographs for his name, image and likeness. From that moment, “Money Manziel” was born.
Manziel’s success at Texas A&M was well known, even before NIL became widely accepted by the NCAA and the powers of the college football world.
That sparks the question: What if Manziel played for Texas A&M during the NIL era?
Million Dollar Manziel
For starters, Manziel would have made millions. According to official reports from the New York Post, Duke quarterback Darian Mensah’s two-year deal will bring in $8 million, making him the unofficial highest-paid player in college football history heading into the 2025 campaign.
Players around the country are racking up million-dollar deals for their name, image, and likeness, while Manziel was punished for capitalizing on his. There’s no sugar-coating how much money he would have made during this era of college football. Between his performance on the field and popularity on social media, there would be no limit to his potential endorsements. His autographs alone brought in approximately $30,000, and who knows how much more he was offered that he likely had to turn down at the time.
As simple as this statement seems, it makes you take a step back and realize the importance of Manziel’s contributions to Texas A&M. During a time when the Aggies were just officially entering the Southeastern Conference, the freshman quarterback went into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and defeated Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. Few first impressions in college football history matched what Manziel was able to accomplish in his first year leading the Maroon and White.
Manziel’s Portal Potential
After last year’s college football season concluded, a record-setting 3,843 players were in the transfer portal in search of their next destination. While giving some the benefit of the doubt for coaching or personal situations, most of the top-rated athletes in the portal were looking for their next paycheck, as financial incentives became the major determinant in a player leaving their respective school.
When reminiscing on the days of Manziel’s incredible acts at Kyle Field, it is difficult not to think about whether he would have hit the portal multiple times as well. While Texas A&M did have talented targets like Ryan Swope and Mike Evans, Manziel put the Aggies on his back. That pressure, combined with the potential offers from other schools, could have persuaded him to pursue opportunities elsewhere as a sophomore. Storied programs like Oregon and Texas would likely lead the way, as he initially committed to the Ducks in 2010 and was a lifelong Longhorns fan before he ultimately came to College Station.
If NIL was a true established idea back when Manziel was tearing teams to shreds, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could have transferred to a different program as a sophomore. If there is more money to be made and championships to be claimed, it would have been a tough decision to pass and stay with the Aggies, who were not exactly in a prime position to claim a national title just yet.
Setting the Bar
Manziel’s success is written into the history books and will never be taken away, as he established a precedent for the quarterbacks who will follow in his footsteps at Texas A&M. If NIL were as massive during his playing days, Manziel would have likely set a standard for quarterback pay across the college football landscape.
The NCAA would likely be in a different position than it is now, as programs could be in a position to pay their respective signal-caller double or even triple the amount that athletes are currently being paid. Manziel’s endorsement deals would have had a seismic impact on college athletics. Chaos is the most fitting term for what could have happened in the years following Manziel’s stint with the Aggies.
It might have helped athletes earn the compensation they deserve, however. At that moment, there were mixed feelings about the NCAA punishing Manziel for collecting money for his signature, but the situation is different now. Was he really in the wrong for signing autographs on merchandise that the university is capitalizing on?
When the problem is put in that sense, it is difficult to fault Manziel for what he did. He deserved compensation for the jerseys, shirts, and other memorabilia flying off the shelves when he was with the Aggies. Arguments can be made about how much he was worth, but it is hard to deny the legendary status that he created for himself with his play on the field.
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