Did CBS Sports actually rank 'Johnny Football' ahead of Longhorns legend Vince Young?
CBS writer Brad Crawford admits even his own colleagues differ on the definition of "dynamic." Crawford ranks USC running back Reggie Bush No. 1. I think any Texas fan that was in the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006 knew Vince Young had a much greater ability to take over a game than Bush. Bush had flashy runs, but ultimately, he couldn't beat VY.
Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 over Young. But if you really look at that season, Bush had an incredible performance against Fresno State and became the Heisman front runner the rest of the season. Many votes assumed USC was going to beat Texas and so they "logically" voted for Bush. In hindsight, the best college football player in 2005 was the Texas QB.
Cam Newton is ranked No. 2. I think VY was better, but their careers, body type and style are very similar. Crawford reveals he grew up in the South watching the SEC. So there's definitely some SEC bias in his rankings. Of course, going forward, the Longhorns will benefit from the SEC bias that has dominated college football for 20 years.
Johnny Football is ranked No. 3. There's no doubt that Manziel's freshman year was epic. The Aggies looked like a very average team until Manziel became QB and they had a very solid 12-2 season. Manziel was by far the best player on that team and they fed him the ball. His size certainly made him look more dynamic. More on that in a bit.
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"Few players have garnered "SEC legend" status over the last few decades and change, but Johnny Football earned the decorative title. Beating top-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa was his signature moment, yet Manziel was just as potent in a breakout game against SMU and during a memorable comeback against Duke during bowl season. As a redshirt freshman in 2012 under Kevin Sumlin, Manziel rushed for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns, breaking more tackles than any player at his position. The Heisman winner toned down the freelance scrambling as a sophomore but still finished with 4,114 yards passing and a SEC-leading 37 touchdown passes." -- Brad Crawford, CBS Sports
Crawford ranks Lamar Jackson No. 4. Jackson was very good. I guess any QB that got that Louisville team inside the Top 25. Was he clutch? At times. I'd still rank VY ahead of Jackson though.
Finally, at No. 5 is Vince Young. Crawford talks about his epic Rose Bowl, which is obvious. He mentions going 13-0 and beating ranked teams, including a 70-point offensive explosion in the Big 12 title game against Colorado.
"Young's mad dash to the pylon to beat USC at the Rose Bowl ended one of college football's most iconic sequences and preceded the confetti storm of a celebration under the lights in Pasadena. Most college football fans of a certain age remember where they were that night. Young didn't the Heisman that season, but Texas knocked off four ranked teams en route to a 13-0 record. Young's heroics on offense helped that spectacular unit eclipse 50 or more points seven times, including a 70-point showing in the Big 12 Championship Game." -- Brad Crawford, CBS Sports
Aside from almost single-handedly taking down a dynasty, going 13-0 should be given more weight. Of course Texas had a good team, but without VY they wouldn't have been one of the greatest single season teams of all time. Texas was only in danger of losing a couple games. One was against Kansas, when Young converted a 4th and 18 with his legs. The other was against USC.
If you look at the 2005 season, VY was never going to allow Texas to lose. Did anyone feel that about Johnny Football? Did anyone feel that about Lamar Jackson for that matter?
If you look at Young's most dynamic games, like against Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl, or against Oklahoma State, or OU and so on, VY was not going to be stopped. Not by any team. His size, speed, instincts, arm all made him possibly the best player in college football history.
If Young had returned to Texas for the 2006 season, who would have stopped him? Ohio State was in the national title game and beat Texas that year in Colt McCoy's second game as a freshman. The Buckeyes were beaten by Florida in the BCS title game. Chris Leak was the Gators QB. Both were good teams. But neither would have been able to beat Young. Texas would have most likely gone 26-0 with two titles.
Obviously, Manziel left College Station early. SEC fans still can't get over his freshman year. But it is overrated. The big reason is size. Manziel was little. He was listed as 6-foot, but he looked much smaller. When little guys are "dynamic" it somehow looks more impressive.
In 1986, I attended the NBA Slam Dunk contest. Spud Webb 5-foot 6-inches tall and the fact he could dunk at all was amazing. But that night, Webb's Atlanta Hawks teammate Dominique Wilkins put on one of the best dunking exhibitions in the history of that competition. So athletic. So dominant. But Webb was a little guy who could dunk. It wasn't logical and thus, he won over the judges and won the trophy.
And I guess that's why Crawford put Manziel ahead of Young. VY was a freight train. He was 6-foot 5-inches and looked like a god. Manziel was a little guy seemed to be breaking logic. This list is for the most "dynamic" and size factors into that.
I'd say VY was more dynamic. But if the definition "dynamic" is debatable then I guess you can use that to justify Johnny Football being higher on that list.
But "best?" There's no doubt Young was better.
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