Gus Malzahn had the opportunity to coach Cam Newton in college, and he has the misfortune of coaching against Johnny Manziel. As he prepares to lead his Auburn Tigers into College Station this Saturday, he knows he will be going up against one of the best players ever.
In fact, Malzahn, who was Auburn’s offensive coordinator for the 2010 national championship season under Newton, calls the Texas A&M quarterback the best offensive player in college football.
“He’s the best offensive player in college football,” Malzahn said this week, via AL.com. “He’s very good within their system but he’s probably even better once things break down. He’s a great backyard player.”
Malzahn also called Newton and Manziel, who both won Heisman Trophies, two of the best college football players ever.
“I would say probably those two are probably two of the best that ever played the game in college football,” Malzahn said. “We only got to see Cam Newton for one year, but this guy, he’s in the same element. They’re different but they’re still some of the best to ever play.”
Newton threw for 2,907 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2010. He also rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns. Manziel, meanwhile, threw for 3,706 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year. He also ran for 1,410 yards and 21 scores.
College football has changed so much over the years it’s nearly impossible to compare players based on statistics. But there’s no denying that Newton and Manziel are two of the best dual-threat quarterbacks we have seen in the past 10 years. Malzahn’s also probably right that they’re two of the best ever, as well. And how good is Manziel? He has Texas A&M favored by 14 over Malzahn’s squad. We all know who Floyd Mayweather is taking to cover.
