Johnny Manziel replaced as ‘GameDay’ picker after night out in Miami

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Johnny Manziel replaced as ‘GameDay’ picker after night out in Miami

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 10:27 AM ET

Johnny Manziel is still partying a little bit too hard for his own good at times.

Manziel had been announced as the celebrity guest picker for ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Friday. Manziel was a logical choice, as his former school, Texas A&M, was making its College Football Playoff debut on Saturday.

Based on his Instagram story, however, Manziel did not have that obligation on his mind. Videos he posted to his Instagram reel showed him in Miami attending the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight and partying at Miami Beach.

Johnny Manziel’s Instagram story the night before he was supposed to be College GameDay’s guest picker for his former school’s first playoff appearance #CFPplayoff pic.twitter.com/TRMvSQL5GD
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) December 20, 2025

Manziel was not even in the right city. The Aggies’ playoff game was in College Station, Tex.

As a result of Manziel’s lack of availability, ESPN quietly drafted in Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso, another Texas A&M alum, as their guest picker instead. A TikTok video from Caruso’s wife Haleigh indicated that Caruso was very much brought in at the last minute.

pic.twitter.com/eeHmwWRty5
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 21, 2025

Some things never change. Manziel partying a bit too hard and forsaking his obligations would be one of them.

It is a shame, since we know Manziel does still pay attention to college football. Seeing him at Saturday’s playoff game on campus would have been quite the scene, but ultimately, we did not get it. To make matters worse, Texas A&M lost the game 10-3, ending their season with a whimper.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: