Kenny Hill appeared in five games in 2013. (USATSI)
Kenny Hill appeared in five games in 2013. (USATSI)

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Johnny Manziel officially has a successor.

Kevin Sumlin named sophomore Kenny Hill Texas A&M's starting quarterback Saturday evening, ending a months-long battle between Hill and five-star early-enrollee freshman Kyle Allen.

“Competition was close and that competition will continue to help us improve," Sumlin said, per the Aggies' official Twitter feed. "I have talked to both quarterbacks as well as the team and we will prepare with Kenny getting the first-team reps."

Originally a four-star dual-threat prospect from Southlake, Texas, Hill played sparingly behind Manziel as a true freshman in 2013, appearing in five games and completing 16 of 22 passes for 8.3 yards an attempt with one touchdown.

But of course that's more on-field experience than Allen brought to the table, despite the Scottsdale, Ariz. product's status as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2014, and the nation's No. 10 overall prospect. Sumlin recently called the battle between Allen and Hill "dead even" going into a closed Friday scrimmage.

Hill will not have the luxury of easing himself into the starter's role. The Aggies open their season Aug. 28 on the road at No. 9 South Carolina, in a Thursday night game that marks the SEC Network's first-ever live football broadcast.