Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel

Join Johnny for a special Solo Episode where he lets it rip and speaks his mind in classic Johnny fashion. He dives deep into the current (dismal?!?!?) state of College Football, the NFL Combine, Free Agency, and the Top Prospects in this year's Draft. 

First, Johnny dives into College Football and talks about the changes that need to be made to the Transfer Portal, NIL, and CFP Expansion. Johnny believes there needs to be someone in charge like Nick Saban, who can oversee CFB as a whole and guide it into the right direction. With all of the money and transferring, the future of College Football is looking like it's about to hit a breaking point. 

Next, Johnny touches on the upcoming NFL combine and how he sees the draft playing out. He breaks down the QB’s of the draft and gives his thoughts on the best opportunities for guys like Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier, and he mentions his 40 time combine wager with Diego Pavia. 

Finally, Johnny talks about his life and how his year has been up to this point. He brings up the importance of mental health and how he uses his circle to be open about struggles and make sure he is in the right place to attack what life throws at him. 

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:18 - How to Fix College Football

10:28 - PrizePicks Ad

11:06 - NFL Combine Breakdown

16:48 - Perseverance in QB’s

18:09 - NFL Offseason

20:31 - Rula Ad

22:01 - Dysfunction in Sports

25:22 - The Importance of Mental Health

31:26 - One Word Question

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Presented by PrizePicks: Use code JOHNNY. Play $5 Get $50 in lineups. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JOHNNY

Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/JOHNNY  #rulapod
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Trent Richardson joins Johnny for a nostalgic conversation between two SEC legends. Trent and Johnny share the experience of being at the top of the college football world, being 1st round draft picks, and playing in the defunct Alliance of American Football. This episode will bring you back to arguably the greatest and purest era of college football. 

To kick it off, Trent and Johnny break down the Super Bowl and what allowed the Seahawks to dominate. Trent and Johnny give their flowers to Kenneth Walker and the Seattle run game and how it wore down the New England defense. Trent compares the game to the Alabama vs. LSU battles of the 2011-12 season and how the physicality in the trenches determined the results.

The conversation shifts to their post-NFL careers in dysfunctional leagues like the AAF and the CFL. As two of the biggest names in the AAF, they share the crazy story of how the league folded midseason. Trent follows up with how important fatherhood is to him and how he had to stop playing in Canada to be there for his children. 

Next, Trent and Johnny dive into Nick Saban and how he made the Alabama program the blueprint for success in college football. Trent shares stories from his time in Tuscaloosa and how that culture taught him how to be successful in all aspects of his life. Coach Saban created a hyper-competitive environment where everything is earned, whereas present day Alabama has lost its identity with the departure of the legendary coach. 

To conclude the conversation, the pair shares their thoughts on the “bust” label and how other people’s opinions do not define their career. Trent brings light to how many hardships he overcame in his life and how he created a better life for himself and his family because of what he achieved on the field. 

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

3:15 - Super Bowl Breakdown

9:06 - PrizePicks Ad

9:42 - The Chaos of the AAF

17:30 - Fatherhood & Family

21:57 - Playing for Nick Saban & Alabama

33:39 - What’s Wrong with Football in 2026

40:57 - Playing Behind Mark Ingram

43:39 - Lucy Ad

45:01 - Recruiting Stories

51:09 - Getting Drafted by the Browns

54:13 - The “Bust” Label vs. True Success

1:03:30 - One Word Question of the Week

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Presented by PrizePicks: Use code JOHNNY. Play $5 Get $50 in lineups. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JOHNNY

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Jake Plummer joins Johnny for a captivating conversation between two men that have always been true to themselves. Jake and Johnny chat about their admiration for each other, how they harness their competitive spirit outside football, and the transition into life after football. 

From there, Jake shares how his career was fueled by his passion for the game and staying true to himself. He believes in using that dedication and commitment to the craft during the season, but also the importance of other passions outside the game. 

Johnny and Jake dive into the resurgence of Sam Darnold' s career, Super Bowl 60, and how Seattle and New England matchup against each other. They then dive deeper into how elite coaching can revitalize an organization and create sustainable success with overlooked players like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Brock Purdy. 

The conversation shifts into Jake’s thoughts on his career and how he treats his legacy. He shares a unique perspective, his legacy is his life. Jake believes it will continue to change with every new challenge he faces and attacks life with the same attitude of his playing days. This sparks Johnny to share his beliefs and how he uses positivity to become the best version of himself. 

Jake concludes with the importance of health and wellness. He shares his beliefs of using functional mushrooms and how they can benefit individuals from football players to your everyday average Joe. With the creation of his mushroom brand Umbo, he has become a trailblazer in this field and a prominent figure in the growth of the practice. 

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:54 - Life Outside of Football

4:39 - The Next Generation of Football

9:16 - PrizePicks Ad

11:07 - Super Bowl Breakdown

20:33 - Playing for Elite Coaches

25:33 - Matt Stafford & the End of a Career

30:30 - Lucy Ad

31:50 - Playing for the Broncos & Building a Legacy

36:47 - Health & Wellness

44:28 - How the NFL Sticks with You

46:40 - The Change of QB Play in the NFL

51:39 - Jake & Functional Mushrooms

56:06 - One Word Question

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Presented by PrizePicks: Use code JOHNNY. Play $5 Get $50 in lineups. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JOHNNY

LUCY: Find LUCY near you at lucy.co/stores, or save 20% on your first online order at lucy.co/JOHNNY with promo code JOHNNY

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Diego Pavia sits down with Johnny for a conversation that feels more like two boys catching up than a formal interview. They start by talking about how their paths first crossed, how that friendship formed, and what it’s like watching each other navigate the chaos that comes with big moments and bigger expectations in football.

From there, Diego opens up about his college journey — the late nights, the pressure, the energy of being that guy on campus, and how wild things can get when you’re winning and the spotlight keeps getting brighter. He reflects on the season that put him on the national map, the doubts people still had, and the frustration of feeling overlooked when the Heisman conversation came around.

The conversation then turns to the NFL Draft and the strange in-between stage Diego finds himself in — training, waiting, hearing feedback, and trying to tune out the noise while his future hangs in the balance. Johnny relates, drawing parallels to his own pre-draft experience and the emotional whiplash that comes with projections, expectations, and uncertainty.

They talk about confidence, chip-on-the-shoulder motivation, and how being counted out can either break you or fuel you. The episode is honest, loose, and grounded — less about hot takes and more about brotherhood, resilience, and what it really feels like to chase the next level after a wild college football run.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

2:35 - Johnny & Diego’s Relationship

4:39 - Achieving 2025 Season Goals

6:01 - Highs and Lows

7:20 - Beating Alabama & Becoming a Star

9:40 - PrizePicks Ad

10:51 - Friendship with Theo Von

12:45 - 3 People Johnny Wanted to Party With

13:34 - The Heisman Ceremony & Learning from Mistakes

16:16 - Media & Narratives

17:31 - Becoming an NFL Player

19:34 - NIL & Declaring for the Draft

22:23 - NCAA Eligibility

26:14 - Rula Ad

27:28 - Johnny’s Texas A&M vs. Diego’s Vanderbilt

29:49 - Diego’s Impact on the Vanderbilt Program

33:22 - Jay Cutler’s Advice to Diego

34:56 - Jared Curtis Committing to Vanderbilt

37:31 - Diego’s Relationship with Jerry Kill

39:59 - Ultra Pouches Ad

41:07 - Playing JUCO 

42:40 - Johnny’s Introduction to Drake

44:47 - Johnny’s Advice & Preparing for the Draft

52:00 - PrizePicks One Word Question

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Presented by PrizePicks: Use code JOHNNY. Play $5 Get $50 in lineups. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JOHNNY

Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/JOHNNY  #rulapodUltra Pouches: Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code JOHNNY at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad
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Johnny Manziel joins Darren Waller for an in-depth conversation that explores football, personal challenges, and life beyond the game. They start by talking about Mike McDaniel getting fired and how it’s another reminder of how quickly things can shift in the NFL, even when things seem stable from the outside.

From there, they trade stories from their own careers. Johnny reflects on his time with the Browns — the pressure, the expectations, and how fast life comes at you once you’re in the league. Darren talks about his path from Georgia Tech to the Raiders to the Giants to the Dolphins, and how each stop brought a different set of challenges both on and off the field.

They also get into playing with Tua Tagovailoa, what it’s like to be in a locker room built around a franchise quarterback, and how leadership and trust develop over time. The conversation turns to Antonio Brown and Jon Gruden and that INSANE Raiders team.

Darren speaks openly about his struggles with addiction and how they impacted his career and personal life, while Johnny reflects on his own mistakes and the perspective that came from them. The episode is thoughtful and real, focused less on headlines and more on lessons, growth, and figuring out life after football.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:52 - Growing as a Person

5:22 - Coming out of Retirement

6:36 - Mike McDaniel Firing

8:49 - PrizePicks Ad

9:41 - Tua Tagovailoa’s Future

12:41 - Mike McDaniel’s Play Designs

16:40 - Stepping away from the Game

20:29 - Coming back to the NFL

24:08 - Overcoming Addiction

28:13 - LUCY Ad

29:31 - Substance Abuse and Addiction

35:06 - Joining the Raiders

37:44 - Johnny Living with Jon Gruden

39:26 - Playing for Jon Gruden and Building Self-confidence

42:31 - Playing with Jason Witten

43:49 - Brock Bowers

44:58 - Maxx Crosby and the Raiders

46:15 - Overcoming Mental Health Struggles

53:05 - PrizePicks One Word Question

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Presented by PrizePicks: Use code JOHNNY. Play $5 Get $50 in lineups. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JOHNNY

LUCY: Find LUCY near you at lucy.co/stores, or save 20% on your first online order at lucy.co/JOHNNY with promo code JOHNNY
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices