Manziel’s Autographs May Cause Eligibility Issues

HOUSTON (AP) — Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin says the university is gathering facts after a report that quarterback Johnny Manziel was paid for signing hundreds of autographs in January.

Speaking to the media Monday before the Aggies open camp, Sumlin says he learned of the ESPN report Sunday. ESPN says the NCAA is investigating whether the Heisman Trophy winner was paid for the autographs, which could potentially violate its amateurism rules and put his eligibility in question.

Sumlin said he would not speculate whether Manziel will be his starter when the season begins Aug. 31 against Rice.

He also said starting defensive tackle Kirby Ennis, who was arrested in February on a weapons charge, will be suspended for the Rice game.