Johnny Manziel reveals he will be on Vanderbilt sideline in Tuscaloosa vs. Alabama

Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel revealed he will be on the Vanderbilt sideline for their game vs. Alabama this weekend. He said he recently had dinner with Vandy QB Diego Pavia on Night Cap.

“I went to dinner with Diego Pavia tonight,” Manziel said. “They hungry. And guess what? I’m going to Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Saturday, and I’m on the Vandy sideline. ‘Bring it on’ is what them boys are saying.”

For context (see below), Manziel and Pavia have a prior relationship, dating back to Pavia leading Vanderbilt to an upset over Alabama at home last season. Now, it’s a ranked matchup in Tuscaloosa in 2025!

Diego Pavia's favorite QB, Johnny Manziel, surprised the Vandy QB to congratulate him on the big win over Bama 👏 pic.twitter.com/1oZeuoQtVM

— ESPN (@espn) October 9, 2024

Manziel was probably pretty proud of Pavia’s performance last season. In the 40-35 win, Pavia threw for 252 yards, two touchdowns and ran for 56 yards in the stunner.

“What an awesome game, so fun to watch,” Manziel said to Pavia last year. “Couldn’t be happier for you. Sitting there and watching the whole thing play out has to feel like 2012 for me. But appreciate you showing me a lot of love, hope I get the chance to come on here and show you the same thing.”

Pavia made sure to invite Manziel to Nashville, calling the Vanderbilt program “electric.” Now, that’s going to be a reality.

In five games this season, Pavia is on pace to set career numbers across the board. He has 1,211 yards, 13 touchdowns, three interceptions, a 74.6% completion percentage, 294 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Manziel has had success against Alabama in the past of course. his coming out party during his Heisman campaign was Texas A&M’s 2012 win over No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In the 29-24 win, Manziel threw for 253 yards, two touchdowns and ran for another 92 yards on the ground.