Conner Weigman shares the message he received from Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel‘s play and impact during his time at Texas A&M has made it nearly impossible for another quarterback to fill those shoes. But according to the man himself, current Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman is doing just fine.

Manziel was in attendance for the Aggies’ Week 3 home matchup against Louisiana-Monroe, and on the SEC Network broadcast said he sees a little bit of himself in Weigman when watching him play. And after the game, Weigman reacted to the high praise from the Texas A&M legend.

“That was pretty cool, he came up to me on the sideline and just said keep doing what you’re doing,” Weigman said. “I just told him I’m trying to be like him out there.”

Manziel is a tough person to be like, famously winning the Heisman Trophy in his freshman season and taking the Texas A&M program to unprecedented heights.

But Weigman has been doing his best Johnny Football impression so far this season in his first year as the Aggies’ full time starter. He’s led Texas A&M to a 2-1 record as they head into their first conference matchup of the season.

Weigman has completed an impressive 70.5% of his passes this season, ranking fourth in the SEC with 909 yards though the air and adding eight touchdowns to his stat line. He’s also shown off some dual-threat capabilities like Manziel, rushing for 69 yards so far this season and punching in two touchdowns on the ground.

“He looks great,” Manziel said. “I think he’s growing every week, I think each week that goes on he’s gonna continue to get more comfortable and continue to go out there and sling it. For the quarterback position especially, I see a little bit of myself in him out there. He’s doing a really good job leading this team and he’s definitely got a fan in me. It’s fun to watch.”

Manziel made his fair share of dazzling, jaw-dropping plays that will likely take along time for another quarterback to replicate, especially in the SEC. But his recognition of the growth and potential of Weigman under center for the Aggies is surely a great sign for the future of the program.

Weigman will have his first SEC test of the season this weekend, as the Aggies host new head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers at noon ET on Saturday in a matchup airing on ESPN.