Hill Named A&M Starter

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Texas A&M named its replacement for Johnny Manziel at quarterback on Saturday, choosing sophomore Kenny Hill to start the opener on Aug. 28 at South Carolina.

Hill won a battle with first-year freshman Kyle Allen to take over the spot vacated by Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner who started at quarterback for two yeras and now plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Last season, Hill saw action in four games in relief of Manziel, completing 16 of 22 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. The opener against the Gamecocks will be Hill’s first college start.

“(The) competition was close and that competition will continue to help us improve,” Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin said. “I have talked to both quarterbacks as well as the team and we will prepare with Kenny getting the first-team reps.”

Hill is a former Texas high school player of the year who led Southlake Carroll to a Texas Class 5A state title. His father, Ken Hill Sr., pitched in the major leagues for 14 years.

Hill was suspended by the team in the spring after an arrest on a public intoxication charge, missing the final week of spring practice.