Johnny Manziel a No-Show for College GameDay Ahead of Texas A&M's CFP Debut
Texas A&M’s long-awaited College Football Playoff debut was always going to be a headline moment. And naturally, who better to help usher in the Aggies' biggest stage appearance than Johnny Manziel - the program’s most iconic modern player and a former Heisman Trophy winner. That was the plan, at least.
Manziel was slated to be Saturday’s guest picker on College GameDay, a fitting nod to his legacy and the Aggies’ historic moment. But when the broadcast went live, it wasn’t Johnny Football sitting in the guest chair. Instead, Oklahoma City Thunder guard and Texas A&M alum Alex Caruso stepped in.
The switch raised eyebrows - especially given how publicly Manziel had been linked to the appearance. Fans quickly pieced together a possible explanation, and it pointed south. Literally.
On Friday night, Manziel was in Miami, attending the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight - a high-profile boxing event that reportedly pulled in a massive $184 million.
Based on his Instagram story, the former quarterback wasn’t exactly laying low. The posts showed Manziel fully immersed in the South Beach nightlife, enjoying the kind of evening that doesn’t usually pair well with a 9 a.m. call time.
Now, was this a simple scheduling mix-up or something more? One fan floated a theory that Manziel may have thought the game itself was being played in Miami, not just the fight - a nod to the confusion around the CFP venue and the buzz around Miami hosting major events that weekend. Whether or not that's true, it added another layer to the already head-scratching situation.
Regardless of the reason, Manziel’s absence was felt. This was a rare moment for Texas A&M - a program that’s spent years trying to break through into the national spotlight.
Having their most recognizable football figure on hand would’ve been symbolic. Instead, it was Caruso - a respected figure in his own right - who took the stage and represented the Aggies.
As for Manziel, the reaction online was swift and, in some corners, predictably harsh. Social media lit up with jokes and jabs, with some fans poking fun at his party-heavy lifestyle, while others sarcastically applauded his ability to turn past vices into sponsorship opportunities. It’s the type of reaction Manziel has grown used to - part of the complicated legacy he carries as both a college football legend and a cautionary tale.
At the end of the day, Johnny Manziel remains true to form: unpredictable, unapologetic, and always a headline. But for Texas A&M fans hoping to see their most famous quarterback back in the fold for a landmark moment, Saturday morning was a letdown.
The Aggies are finally where they’ve been trying to get - on college football’s biggest stage. And this time, Johnny Football wasn’t there to see it.