Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M: Meet Aggies starting QB Kenny Hill

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill is no Johnny Manziel. He knows that, his teammates know that, and everyone else knows that.

Needless to say, he has a tough act to follow.

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The man that set the college football world on fire is now with the Cleveland Browns along with former South Carolina Gamecocks QB

, replaced by a true sophomore that threw just 22 passes, 16 of them complete, in four games last year; whose father, Ken Sr., made his name on the mound, not the gridiron; and who edged out a five-star recruit in practice to win the starting job. And his first game is against the #9 Gamecocks.

Talk about a baptism by fire.

But one of the differences I’ve noted early on is that Kenny Hill hasn’t said much yet about taking the reins. (Not to say he’s been squeaky clean. He was arrested and later suspended after a public intoxication charge in the spring.) Manziel had a lot to say with Texas A&M, and still does in the NFL (sometimes resorting to, let’s say, non-verbal means to do the talking). Hill doesn’t plan to address the media until after the game on Thursday. If he had spoken, I’d imagine he’d say things like:

“I’m just going to go out there and do my best to help my team win.”

Are you nervous? “Not really. I might be a little come kickoff, but I’m just going to treat it like it’s just another game.”

Have you and Johnny Manziel spoken? “We talk from time to time. I admire what he’s done here at Texas A&M, and I’m looking forward to carrying on his legacy.”

What are your thoughts on the Gamecocks? “They’re a very tough team. They’re very talented, and they have a lot of great players.”

But he hasn’t said any of those things because he hasn’t said anything at all. Is he just shy? Does he not like being in the public eye? Or is he just laser-focused on beating the Gamecocks on Thursday?

Hill has’t said much. How he comes out of the gates Thursday against the Gamecocks in his first start should speak volumes.