Written by Garin Turner
Senior Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield can now add Heisman Trophy winner to his accolades as he is the 2017 winner. If Mayfield does not have a trophy case, he may soon need one. He is the Associated Press Player of the Year. He has won the Maxwell Award (best all-around college player), Davey O'Brien Award (best college quarterback), and the Walter Camp Award (college football player of the year). Mayfield was also named The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year award. This is the second time he has received that honor; the first came in 2015.
Mayfield beat out QB Lamar Jackson who won the Heisman last year and actually put up better numbers this year and Stanford running back Bryce Love. Mayfield still has more work to do on the football field, as his Sooners squad faces Georgia in the Rose Bowl for a chance to go onto the National Championship game against either defending champion Clemson or Alabama.
"For me, I'm just trying to enjoy this. I don't think any preparations can get me ready for that. There's nothing that can get you ready for winning the Heisman Trophy," Mayfield said.
Mayfield has completed 262 passes on 369 attempts for 71%. He is averaging 11 yards per completion and has 41 touchdowns to just five interceptions and a QB rating of 203.8. He can also get things done with his legs. On 85 carries he has 310 yards with five touchdowns.
Mayfield has had a stellar career for the Sooners. He has 129 touchdown passes and just 29 interceptions. He has thrown for 14,320 yards. This is back to back seasons that Mayfield has thrown for 40 plus touchdowns. His touchdowns have increased every year from 12, 36, 40, and 41. The 129 touchdowns puts Mayfield sixth in NCAA History. He is also 10th in career passing yards.
As far as where he ranks in Big 12 history, he is first in pass efficiency (176.0) and passing touchdowns. He is third in passing yards and total offense and fifth in completion percentage (.686)
Against in-state rival Oklahoma State, Mayfield threw for 598 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was 24 of 36 passing and also ran for a score leading his team to a 62-52 win on the road.
Even in the Sooners lone defeat on the season, Mayfield put up substantial numbers. In a 38-31 loss to Iowa State, he threw for 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also ran for a score.
With Mayfield under center, the Sooners only scored less than 30 points once this year and that was against Texas, a 29-24 win.
Mayfield's success should lead his to a promising future in the NFL. Todd McShay of ESPN has him going in the first round in the 2018 NFL draft. Mel Kiper Jr. has him on the fringe of the first round and questions his maturity which has been a topic of discussion this year. There was the incident after the win against Ohio State where Mayfield planted or at least attempted to plant the Sooners flag on the 50-yard line in Columbus. Then there was him telling the Kansas Jayhawk fans to "stick to basketball" and then, later on, channeling Michael Jackson with a crotch grab. That incident cost Mayfield a start against West Virginia, and he also lost his captain status. Back in February, he was arrested in a drunken encounter with the police. Finally, there was the incident against Baylor this year in which he told players he would spank them.
"I love it, love the game of football. It's something about it; you let loose the emotions and anger. You step between those white lines. I truly have a passion for the game," Mayfield said.
These antics could cost him come draft day. Several outlets have already started the comparison to another QB that's known for his on and off-field incidents, Johnny Manziel. Mayfield is passionate and gets caught up in the moment. That is no excuse for his actions but his maturity level seems to be a lot higher than Manziel's who's currently out of the league and career could very well be over.
Mayfield originally attended Texas Tech, in his lone year back in 2013, he was 218 of 340 for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He transferred and had to sit out a year, and the rest is history that's being rewritten every week.
Mayfield beat out QB Lamar Jackson who won the Heisman last year and actually put up better numbers this year and Stanford running back Bryce Love. Mayfield still has more work to do on the football field, as his Sooners squad faces Georgia in the Rose Bowl for a chance to go onto the National Championship game against either defending champion Clemson or Alabama.
"For me, I'm just trying to enjoy this. I don't think any preparations can get me ready for that. There's nothing that can get you ready for winning the Heisman Trophy," Mayfield said.
Mayfield has completed 262 passes on 369 attempts for 71%. He is averaging 11 yards per completion and has 41 touchdowns to just five interceptions and a QB rating of 203.8. He can also get things done with his legs. On 85 carries he has 310 yards with five touchdowns.
Mayfield has had a stellar career for the Sooners. He has 129 touchdown passes and just 29 interceptions. He has thrown for 14,320 yards. This is back to back seasons that Mayfield has thrown for 40 plus touchdowns. His touchdowns have increased every year from 12, 36, 40, and 41. The 129 touchdowns puts Mayfield sixth in NCAA History. He is also 10th in career passing yards.
As far as where he ranks in Big 12 history, he is first in pass efficiency (176.0) and passing touchdowns. He is third in passing yards and total offense and fifth in completion percentage (.686)
Against in-state rival Oklahoma State, Mayfield threw for 598 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was 24 of 36 passing and also ran for a score leading his team to a 62-52 win on the road.
Even in the Sooners lone defeat on the season, Mayfield put up substantial numbers. In a 38-31 loss to Iowa State, he threw for 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also ran for a score.
With Mayfield under center, the Sooners only scored less than 30 points once this year and that was against Texas, a 29-24 win.
Mayfield's success should lead his to a promising future in the NFL. Todd McShay of ESPN has him going in the first round in the 2018 NFL draft. Mel Kiper Jr. has him on the fringe of the first round and questions his maturity which has been a topic of discussion this year. There was the incident after the win against Ohio State where Mayfield planted or at least attempted to plant the Sooners flag on the 50-yard line in Columbus. Then there was him telling the Kansas Jayhawk fans to "stick to basketball" and then, later on, channeling Michael Jackson with a crotch grab. That incident cost Mayfield a start against West Virginia, and he also lost his captain status. Back in February, he was arrested in a drunken encounter with the police. Finally, there was the incident against Baylor this year in which he told players he would spank them.
"I love it, love the game of football. It's something about it; you let loose the emotions and anger. You step between those white lines. I truly have a passion for the game," Mayfield said.
These antics could cost him come draft day. Several outlets have already started the comparison to another QB that's known for his on and off-field incidents, Johnny Manziel. Mayfield is passionate and gets caught up in the moment. That is no excuse for his actions but his maturity level seems to be a lot higher than Manziel's who's currently out of the league and career could very well be over.
Mayfield originally attended Texas Tech, in his lone year back in 2013, he was 218 of 340 for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He transferred and had to sit out a year, and the rest is history that's being rewritten every week.