Very few people have a first-hand understanding of what Florida State's Jameis Winston will face as a returning Heisman Trophy winner at the quarterback position, but Johnny Manziel is one of them.
And by the former Texas A&M star's account, it won't be easy.
"There is a lot of pressure," Manziel said, according to the Associated Press. "You're the one that's on TV every week. You're the one who at the beginning of the year is already at the top of everybody's Heisman list. ... It's everywhere because it's the biggest trophy in college football.
"For me, I never really let it get to me too much, but at the same time, it was always around and it was always lingering no matter what went on throughout the season."
Manziel and Winston represent just the third time in history that two quarterbacks have won the Heisman, with both returning to college the following year, in back-to-back seasons. Manziel won the award in 2012, and as he noted, was thus the default Heisman frontrunner before the 2013 season even began. While Manziel's 2013 season was a smashing success individually, his team fell short of championship hopes and landed in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl saddled with four losses. Winston took full advantage in claiming the Heisman with a big season of his own, but also with the support of a cast of national championship-caliber teammates.
While Texas A&M's losses piled too high for Manziel to win a second Heisman, Winston is in a much better position to contend for the award again. College Football 24/7 ranks FSU as the top team in the nation entering the 2014 season.
Winston opens the season Aug. 30 against Oklahoma State.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
