Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill -- the guy whose hot start to the season led to a trademark filing for his nickname -- has been granted a scholarship release and plans to transfer.
Gigem247.com, an Aggies-centric website, reported that he is planning to transfer to TCU. However, Hill's father, Ken, told FOX Sports that while his son will transfer, he has not made a decision about his next school.
"While Kenny is indeed planning on transferring, we have not committed to any school at this time," Ken Hill told FOX via text. "We will begin meeting with schools on the 15th of January when the dead period is over. Any previous reports suggesting we are committed to any school is simply inaccurate."
Under NCAA rules, Kenny Hill will have to sit out a season and would be eligible to play in 2016.
Hill, a sophomore, had a great start to the 2014 season after beating out touted true freshman Kyle Allen for the quarterback job left vacant when Johnny Manziel turned pro early. He guided A&M to a 5-0 start and threw for a school-record 511 yards in a season-opening win at South Carolina. After his second start, a rout of FCS foe Lamar, his parents filed for the trademark rights to the nickname "Kenny Trill."
But things started going poorly in midseason. He threw a combined six interceptions in losses to Mississippi State, Mississippi and Alabama; he was benched during the loss to the Tide and didn't play again, with Allen taking over. At one point, he was suspended for two games for a violation of team rules, and he also had been suspended during spring practice.
Hill -- one of the centerpieces of coach Kevin Sumlin's first recruiting class at A&M in 2012 -- finished the season with 2,649 passing yards, 23 TDs and eight interceptions.
His departure means Allen will be the only quarterback on scholarship during A&M's spring practice. But A&M has a commitment from highly touted dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray, whose dad, Kevin, also played quarterback for the Aggies.
If he chooses to go to TCU, Hill would be the second A&M quarterback to transfer to TCU in as many years; Matt Joeckel -- the twin of Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Luke Joeckel -- moved to TCU last summer and saw scant time behind breakthrough star Trevone Boykin.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
