Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel: What his college schedule should be

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) gestures as he walks across the stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel is back at Texas A&M to finish up his degree so we offer a few classes he can take to get back into the swing of college life.

Johnny Manziel is back at school to get his degree. Manziel left Texas A&M to pursue his NFL dreams, but he hasn’t had the smoothest road in the pros. Going back to Texas A&M to get that college degree makes sense.

Before Johnny Football was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, he was known as the Heisman Trophy-winning Recreation, Parks and Tourism Science major at Texas A&M. He left the university before completing his degree, and now that things aren’t working out so well in the big leagues, Manziel wants to get that degree.

I worked as an Assistant Athletic Director for Academics at a D-1 university, so helping athletes finish up their degrees after going pro is something I did on a regular basis. Here’s a look at the class scheduling advice I’d offer Johnny Manziel if he came into my office.

According to the Texas A&M course catalog, RPTS majors can expect the following from the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Science major:

“The undergraduate curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences provides students with an education in recreation, park and tourism sciences, with an emphasis on problem-solving skills, development of an international perspective and the application of scientific principles to managerial problems. The first two years of studies build a foundation that spans a wide range of disciplines and bodies of knowledge in the arts and sciences and provide the student with an introduction to the history and concepts of recreation, park and tourism sciences.”

Here’s his course load…

Math 140

MATH 140 Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours.

(3.0). (MATH 1324) Application of common algebraic functions, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic and rational, to problems in business, economics and the social sciences; includes mathematics of finance, including simple and compound interest and annuities; systems of linear equations; matrices; linear programming; and probability, including expected value. No credit will be given for more than one of MATH 140, MATH 141 and MATH 166.
Prerequisite: High school algebra I and II and geometry.

Student athletes who anticipate the draft tend to put off taking subjects they despise. For many of us, that class is math. Many students and student athletes alike stop taking math after their junior year of high school, so several years may pass if college students wait to take math later in their college careers. A solid math course would be a great refresher for Manziel, who needs to really learn how to manage his finances now that he’s not working.

Math 140 is a great choice for Manziel because it is a mix of basic algebraic concepts with a focus on business applications. The focus on finance and calculating simple and compound interest will be helpful when Manziel needs to figure out how much money he actually has. He has been living large since being drafted There is also a section on probability and expected value, which will give Manziel some insight into how valuable he will be upon reentry into the NFL in the future.

Given how long it has been since Manziel has been in a math class, the good news is that there is a ton of tutoring available for the class, so he can always get help when he needs it. Of course, that means he has to ask for help, which is an entirely different issue.

May 16, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel before throwing out the first pitch prior to the San Diego Padres game against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Economics

ECON 202 Principles of Economics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours.

(ECON 2302) Principles of Economics. Elementary principles of economics; the economic problem and the price system; theory of demand, theory of production and the firm, theory of supply; the interaction of demand and supply.

Or, if he has already taken Econ 202:

ECON 203 Principles of Economics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours.

(ECON 2301) Principles of Economics. Measurement and determination of national income, employment and price; introduction to monetary and fiscal policy analysis; the effects of government deficits and debt, exchange rates and trade balances.
Prerequisite: ECON 202 or approval of undergraduate advisor.

There may be a little room in Manziel’s schedule for an elective or two, so Economics would be a good choice because learning the principles of supply and demand will be particularly effective.

When it comes to the interaction of demand and supply, let’s consider the structure of the NFL. Every team has several backup players in every position, and there are several more behind them should the need arise. There is high demand for good players, as evidenced by the college recruiting process and the NFL Draft. By extension, these processes also create an incredibly large supply of players from which NFL teams can choose from.

Manziel needs to learn that while he may have been Mr. Big Shot and in demand at the beginning of his career, all of his recreational drama has made him more of a risk than a benefit. In order to regain his “in demand” status, he must make himself an asset once again. He must market himself as a reliable, dependable, even-keeled and hard working guy. Doing well in school and obtaining his degree will do a lot to repair his reputation and image. An understanding of employment and pricing will also help him to secure a better contract when he does return to the NFL.

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns fans cheer after Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) is selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Leisure and Outdoor Recreation in American Culture

RPTS 301 Leisure and Outdoor Recreation in American Culture

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours.

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of leisure and outdoor recreation and how they influence us as individuals, groups and society; critical factors such as self, family, lifespan, ecology, health, work patterns, communications, diversity, popular culture, and consumption are studied in relationship to past, present and future leisure patterns.

As a senior Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences major, Manziel needs to bulk up his schedule with classes to finish up his major. RPTS 301 is perfectly suited for Manziel’s unique life experiences. He has had a solid command of his sense of self since his college football glory days, when he received the nickname Johnny Football. His bouts of substance abuse have helped him arrive at conclusions about being healthier in life, and making good decisions about his consumption. (Oh, wait … wrong definition of “consumption”)

Leisure and outdoor recreation are Manziel’s specialties. There couldn’t be a class more suited for him. He should be able to use his football and partying experience as a case study for how leisure relates to American culture, since he has certainly made an impact in American culture himself.

Manziel is big on trends and understands the constantly changing demands of pop culture, and he’s made a second career about leisure studies. If he applies his past experience to this class, he’ll ace it for sure. This is Manziel’s big chance at an A.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 12: General view of atmosphere as CMT celebrated the SXSW premieres of the documentaries ‘The Bandit’ and ‘Chicken People’ at Austin’s Hotel Van Zandt on March 12, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Kerver/Getty Images for CMT)

General Avian Science

POSC 201 General Avian Science

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours.

(AGRI 1327) General Avian Science. Introduction to the poultry industry to include past, present and future industry dynamics; avian anatomy/physiology as they impact commercial production; management principles and practices of breeding, incubation, brooding, nutrition, disease control and marketing technology.

It’s always good to have a backup plan.

Manziel’s Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences major falls under the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Included in that major is Poultry Science, which is the study of everything chickens.

Why not take a class on raising chickens? Manziel might become a master breeder of prize-winning game birds and ornamental foul. This could be his new passion.

It’s safe to assume that Manziel has blown through most of his signing bonus money and whatever he earned with the Browns. If Manziel doesn’t make it back to the NFL, having another passion is important. And since Poultry Science falls under the same department as his RPTS major, it’s practically cross-listed for him. General Avian Science is calling Manziel’s name.

Johnny Manziel and Poultry Science could be a match made in heaven, and Manziel’s best schedule ever.