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Birmingham, Ala. • Southeastern Conference coaches apparently don't think Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is the league's best quarterback.
The coaches rated the Texas A&M quarterback as the preseason second-team selection on the teams released by the league on Thursday. Georgia's Aaron Murray was the first-team choice while Alabama's AJ McCarron received third-team honors.
Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman last season, but allegations that he received payment for autographs could threaten his eligibility. Manziel's lawyer has said he believes the quarterback will play in Texas A&M's season opener against Rice on Aug. 31 even if an NCAA investigation isn't finished, but that decision could ultimately be the Aggies'.
The cloud over his eligibility might have had something to do with Manziel's downgrade. He was the first-team pick by league media before those allegations surfaced.
All three quarterbacks put up big stats, but Manziel had an unprecedented season in the SEC, even one-upping 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton of Auburn. He led the league with 1,410 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and also passed for 3,706 yards and 26 scores.
Manziel is the first player in NCAA history to surpass 5,000 total yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. Murray also has put up impressive numbers.
He is the first quarterback in SEC history to have 3,000 passing yards in three straight seasons, throwing for a school-record 3,893 yards and 36 touchdowns last season while being intercepted 10 times. Murray already holds the school career marks for touchdown passes with 95 and touchdowns responsible for (104).
McCarron led the nation in passing efficiency with 30 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.
Alabama led the way with five first-team picks and 16 selections overall.
LSU and Georgia both had eight make one of the teams, while Florida and Tennessee had seven each.