In the 77-year history of the Heisman Trophy, no freshman has ever won the award.

Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, the player who proved coach Kevin Sumlin's prolific offense could work in the SEC, may finally change that.

Manziel accumulated 4,600 yards of total offense and 43 touchdowns this season along with a signature win over then top-ranked Alabama to make him a frontrunner for the Heisman.

In the past some voters have been reticent to pick a freshman for the award. But those attitudes might be changing.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops coached Adrian Peterson in 2004 when he finished second in voting _ still the highest finish ever for a freshman. Stoops says: ``A player is a player, it shouldn't matter what age he is.''