Kenny Hill is set to take over as the next quarterback for Texas A & M. Photo courtesy of Texas A & M Athletics.
Kevin Sumlin, head football coach at Texas A&M, hasbrspent the offseason determining how to effectively replace Heisman Trophybrwinner and national phenomenon Johnny Football. After a quarterback competitionbrthroughout the summer, the third year head coach and his staff made thebrdecision this Saturday morning to enlist former Southlake Carroll standoutbrKenny Hill as heir to the spot vacated when the Cleveland Browns drafted JohnnybrManziel.
“The competition was close and that competition willbrcontinue to help us improve,” Sumlin said. “I have talked to both quarterbacksbras well as the team and we will prepare with Kenny getting the first-team reps
Last season as a true freshman, Kenny Hill was Manziel's backbrup in mostly late game situations where the outcome had already been decided.brIn four games as an Aggie Hill completed 16-of-22 passes (72.7%) for 183 yardsbrand a touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards on seven carries (5.3 yds/carry). Even in limited action the stats proved thebrformer Gatorade Player of the Year and Texas State Champion quarterback hasbrwhat it takes to lead the Aggies in the post-Johnny Football era.
Hill now a sophomore, beat out true freshman Kyle Allen frombrScottsdale, Arizona in a worthy competition. Allen was considered the topbrpasser coming out of high school, and according to Sumlin, will continue tobrkeep Kenny on his toes. During the battle for the starting position, the twobrquarterbacks were each given similar opportunities to show their talents duringbrsummer workouts. Sumlin said, “We put both the guys in the same situation overbrthe period of 14 practices and 3 scrimmages.” Both Hill and Allen each hadbraround 200 snaps with the starters and backups. The time is roughly equal to 3brgames worth of playing action.
“Competitionbris a coach's best friend,” and “Kenny is going to have to continue to work,”brsaid Sumlin to a group of reporters asking questions about the decision thisbrweekend.
Texas A&M opens up their season with Kenny under center onbrAugust 28 when they face South Carolina. brDragon fans should also note Saturday September 20 when Kenny and thebrAggies return to North Texas to face the SMU Mustangs at Gerald Ford Stadium.
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