Johnny Manziel Has Some Growing Up To Do

Johnny Manziel may be the biggest star in the history of college sports. That sounds crazy to say, but it might be true. Tim Tebow was pretty big during his time at Florida, but Johnny Football completely took over the college football universe during his Heisman Trophy-winning freshman season. Since delivering his acceptance speech he has done anything, but fade away from the national spotlight. He has basked in it and become the center of it -- and not always for the right reasons. Once again, Manziel finds himself in the middle of controversy this week and it begs the question: is Johnny Football's star too bright for the college ranks?

Manziel is a 20-year-old sophomore at Texas A&M and burst on to the national scene after a November 10th upset of No. 1 Alabama. Johnny Football carved up the Tide, completing 24 of 31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 92 yards. The Aggies jumped on 'Bama early, leading 20-0 after the first quarter and then holding off a rally at the end, winning 29-24. The legend was born on the night and Manziel would go on to be the first freshman to hoist the Heisman in New York City.

After winning the award Manziel and the Aggies still had business to take care of against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. No problem. Manziel looked like he was on another planet, setting a Cotton Bowl record with 516 total yards and leading A&M to a 41-13 pounding over the Sooners. Manziel didn't just score four touchdowns (two in the air, two on the ground), he showboated his way to all four. With every score the taunting grew and this was a kid who couldn't be stopped.

He also can't be stopped off the field. It's a problem. After winning the Heisman, Manziel appeared at several NBA games courtside and in the locker room with stars like LeBron James and James Harden after the games. There may actually be nothing wrong with that, but it seems highly suspicious. Manziel can't accept any gifts or benefits so, in order to go to those games, his family would have to buy the tickets. That may have happened, but who knows. It's controversy that Texas A&M doesn't want or need.

He also has a June 2012 arrest on his record and has countless photos of his partying stacked up against him. He's a 20-year-old college student. I get that. 20-year-old college students go out and party. However, Manziel is not your typical 20-year-old college student. He's different and he needs to hold himself to a higher standard. That might mean cutting out the partying and avoiding controversy at all costs.

Avoiding controversy for Manziel is no small task though. Earlier this summer he caused a stir by tweeting, "Bulls--t like tonight is the reason why I can't wait to leave College Station... Whenever it may be." The tweet was deleted not long after it was sent, but sources later said it was influenced by a parking violation he received. This past week Manziel was back in the headlines after he left Manning Camp early. Several media outlets reported that he was hungover and had been partying, but the Manning family denied those reports saying he was ill and dehydrated. Manziel has since apologized to Texas A&M for his early departure and was reportedly upset that he had to leave. Again, maybe he really was sick, but it seems highly suspicious. And the only reason it seems suspicious is because Manziel has created his own reputation.

Life is going to change very soon for Johnny Manziel. He wants out of College Station and guess what -- that's potentially just a year away. Then he can go to the NFL, make millions of dollars and either be a star like he should be or fade into obscurity and continue being a clown. A year may seem like a long time, but it's really not when you have as much maturing to do as Manziel does. He's like the real-life Peter Pan -- The Boy Who Never Grew Up.

Let's not give the kid a pass and say, "Well he's just 20 years old. Of course he's not mature yet." How long are we going to make that excuse for him? For his sake when is someone going to sit him down and tell him exactly what he needs to hear? He's not a kid anymore and that's just the way it is. If he doesn't like the spotlight and attention then stop playing football, but as long as he is in the spotlight he needs to grow up and carry himself in a more positive manner.

One of the best parts about Manziel's football game is his ability to scramble out of trouble. It also seems to be a skill he has adapted to his life. Time and again, he scrambles out of trouble, but that isn't going to happen much longer. And when he can no longer scramble out of the mess he's made for himself it could cause him to lose millions of dollars and years of fame and then he will really find out how bright the spotlight can be. It's time to grow up Johnny.