BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Southeastern Conference coaches apparently don't think Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is the league's best quarterback.
The coaches rated the Texas A&M quarterback as the preseason second-team selection on the teams released by the league Thursday. Georgia's Aaron Murray was the first-team choice while Alabama's AJ McCarron received third-team honors.
Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman last season, but allegations he received payment for autographs could threaten his eligibility.
Manziel's lawyer has said he believes the quarterback will play in Texas A&M's season opener against Rice on Aug. 31 even if an NCAA investigation isn't finished, but that decision could ultimately be the Aggies'.
The cloud over his eligibility might have had something to do with Manziel's downgrade. He was the first-team pick by league media before those allegations surfaced.
All three quarterbacks put up big stats, but Manziel had an unprecedented season in the SEC, even one-upping 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton of Auburn. He led the league with 1,410 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and also passed for 3,706 yards and 26 scores.
Manziel is the first player in NCAA history to surpass 5,000 total yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.
Murray also has put up impressive numbers.
He is the first quarterback in SEC history to have 3,000 passing yards in three straight seasons, throwing for a school-record 3,893 yards and 36 touchdowns last season while being intercepted 10 times.
Murray already holds the school career marks for touchdown passes with 95 and touchdowns responsible for (104).
McCarron led the nation in passing efficiency with 30 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.
Alabama led the way with five first-team picks and 16 selections overall.
LSU and Georgia both had eight make one of the teams, while Florida and Tennessee had seven each.
Murray and McCarron might have better supporting casts among the skill positions, at least according to the coaches picks.
Georgia tailback Todd Gurley and tight end Arthur Lynch are both first-teamers. So are Crimson Tide tailback T.J. Yeldon and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Jake Matthews, who protects Manziel's blind side at left tackle, also made the first team.
Defensively, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney as a first-team pick. Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley and safety HaHa Clinton-Dix were also among those selected.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. And the SEC didn't release the ballots or vote totals.
*Ties
OFFENSE
First Team
Quarterback: Aaron Murray, Georgia
Running Back: Todd Gurley, Georgia
Running Back: T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
Wide Receiver: Amari Cooper, Alabama
Wide Receiver: Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
Tight End: Arthur Lynch, Georgia
Offensive Line: Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Offensive Line: Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
Offensive Line: Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
Offensive Line: Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
Center: Travis Swanson, Arkansas
Second Team
Quarterback: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Running Back: LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State
Running Back: Tre Mason, Auburn
Wide Receiver: Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Wide Receiver: Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss
Tight End: Rory Anderson, South Carolina
Offensive Line: Anthony Steen, Alabama
Offensive Line: Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee
Offensive Line: Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt
Offensive Line: *A.J. Cann, South Carolina
Offensive Line: *Chris Burnette, Georgia
Offensive Line: *Zach Fulton, Tennessee
Offensive Line: *Jon Halapio, Florida
Center: Reese Dismukes, Auburn
Third Team
Quarterback: AJ McCarron, Alabama
Running Back: Alfred Blue, LSU
Running Back: Keith Marshall, Georgia
Wide Receiver: *Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
Wide Receiver: *Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
Wide Receiver: *Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
Tight End: *Brian Vogler, Alabama
Tight End: *C.J. Uzomah, Auburn
Offensive Line: La'el Collins, LSU
Offensive Line: David Hurd, Arkansas
Offensive Line: Justin Britt, Missouri
Offensive Line: Aaron Morris, Ole Miss
Center:- James Stone, Tennessee
DEFENSE
First Team
Defensive Line: Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Defensive Line: Dominique Easley, Florida
Defensive Line: Anthony Johnson, LSU
Defensive Line: Chris Smith, Arkansas
Linebacker: C.J. Mosley, Alabama
Linebacker: A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
Linebacker: Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
Defensive Backs: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
Defensive Backs: Craig Loston, LSU
Defensive Backs: Andre Hal, Vanderbilt
Defensive Backs: Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida
Second Team
Defensive Line: Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
Defensive Line: Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
Defensive Line: *Ed Stinson, Alabama
Defensive Line: *Xzavier Dickson, Alabama
Defensive Line: *Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama
Linebacker: Lamin Barrow, LSU
Linebacker: Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
Linebacker: Adrian Hubbard, Alabama
Defensive Backs: Damian Swann, Georgia
Defensive Backs: Marcus Roberson, Florida
Defensive Backs: E.J. Gaines, Missouri
Defensive Backs: Deion Belue, Alabama
Third Team
Defensive Line: *Dee Ford, Auburn
Defensive Line: *C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss
Defensive Line: *Ronald Powell, Florida
Defensive Line: *Alvin Dupree, Kentucky
Defensive Line: *Denico Autry, Mississippi State
Linebacker: Avery Williamson, Kentucky
Linebacker: Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Linebacker: *Ronald Powell, Florida
Linebacker: *Trey DePriest, Alabama
Defensive Backs: Deshazor Everett, Texas A&M
Defensive Backs: Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State
Defensive Backs: Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama
Defensive Backs: Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss
SPECIALISTS
First Team
Kicker: Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
Punter: Kyle Christy, Florida
Return Specialist: Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
All-Purpose: Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
Second Team
Kicker: Cody Parkey, Auburn
Punter: *Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss
Punter: *Cody Mandell, Alabama
Punter: *Steven Clark, Auburn
Return Specialist: Marcus Murphy, Missouri
All-Purpose: Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
Third Team
Kicker: *Andrew Baggett, Missouri
Kicker: *Zach Hocker, Arkansas
Punter: Michael Palardy, Tennessee
Return Specialist: Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
All-Purpose: LaDarius Perkins, Mississippi State