Sports | Johnny Manziel Heisman History: First Freshman Wins Top Honor Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel takes trophy By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Dec 8, 2012 8:14 PM CST Copied Heisman Trophy finalist Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, poses with the Heisman Trophy following a news conference prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in New York. (Henny Ray Abrams) Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first freshman to win college football's most prized individual award. The redshirt freshman beat out Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. A few days after turning 20, Manziel became the most inexperienced player to win the Heisman. Adrian Peterson had come closest as a freshman, finishing second to Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart in 2004. Manziel, nicknamed "Johnny Football," broke 2010 Heisman winner Cam Netwon's Southeastern Conference record with 4,600 total yards this season, led the Aggies to a 10-2 in their first SEC season, and orchestrated an upset at No. 1 Alabama in November that stamped him as legit. Manziel is the second player from Texas A&M to win the Heisman, and first since John David Crow 1957. Read These Next Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Rubio says the fate of Iran's conversion facility is what matters. Some of the most explosive Diddy allegations are dropped. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Report an error