With kickoff for Texas A&M's football season just five days away, Texas A&M is still mum on the status of starting quarterback Johnny Manziel.
It doesn't look like that's going to change Tuesday when the Aggies have their weekly media luncheon for the Saturday game against Rice.
"The focus of our coaches and student-athletes is solely on preparing for Rice this Saturday, and in the best interests of Texas A&M and the 100-plus student-athletes on the team, I have instructed coach Sumlin, his staff and our student-athletes to refrain from commenting on or answering questions regarding the status of our starting quarterback, Johnny Manziel," Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman said in a statement.
Both the school and the NCAA are conducting investigations into the alleged sale of signatures by Manziel earlier this year.
Sumlin said earlier this month that Manziel would be made available to the media before the season started but that doesn't appear to be the case now. Manziel, who has practiced as the No. 1 quarterback throughout August, did participate in the team's autograph signing Saturday.
If the Aggies were to sit Manziel against the Owls, they have co-No. 2 quarterback on their latest depth chart. Both Matt Joeckel, the twin brother of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, and true freshman Kenny Hill are listed at No. 2.
Matt Davis, who was also vying for the backup spot, decided to transfer last week.
