An attorney hired by Johnny Manziel’s family with experience in NCAA legal matters expects the Heisman Trophy winner to be on the field this season for Texas A&M.
Jim Darnell will represent Manziel as the NCAA investigates allegations that the redshirt sophomore quarterback was paid for signing autographs before the BCS hational championships game in south Florida in January.
An East Coast autograph broker told ESPN this week that Manziel was paid $7,500 for his signature on the memorabilia.
“I can’t say much other than we’re working through the process,” Darnell told USA Today. “He’s cooperating with the investigation. We think when all this comes out on the other end, he’ll be the starting quarterback for the Aggies against Rice” when the season opens Aug. 31.
Darnell said the family hired him several weeks ago. His experience in NCAA cases includes representing the Baylor basketball program and USC basketball coach Tim Floyd.
Texas A&M also has retained a law firm to represent the university, USA Today confirmed this week.
The Manziels issued a statement saying they would comply with NCAA rules by not commenting during the investigation.
Darnell isn’t sure how long the process will last.
“A lot of that is out of my hands,” he said. “That will be up to the NCAA.”