Johnny Manziel -- I'M NOT DRINKING ... 'I'm Staying On Track' (VIDEO)

Johnny Manziel says he's NOT the boozy party boy everyone thinks he is -- telling TMZ Sports he's NOT drinking (just eating at nice restaurants) and "staying on track."

A sober Manziel was leaving Le Jardin in Hollywood around 2 AM Friday morning when he told us, "I'm not really partying though. I'm just out with some buddies ... No drinking, hangin' with the boys."

He added, "I'm out at the spots. I'm eating dinner. I'm eating good food. I'm not doing anything crazy though. I'm being smart."