Oklahoma names Baker Mayfield starting quarterback
Baker Mayfield has gone from walk-on to starting quarterback at Oklahoma.
The Sooners named Mayfield as their starting pivot for the 2015 season, head coach Bob Stoops announced Monday. Mayfield transferred to Oklahoma in January 2014 from Texas Tech without consulting with Stoops.
"Maybe the strangest thing that’s ever happened in my coaching career," Stoops said recently according to Ryan Aber of NewsOK. "I heard the rumors he’s transferring to Oklahoma and I never talked to the guy. He’s never called to ask if he could. If I said no he might be in a fraternity over here playing yard ball."
Stoops is now thankful he didn't say no and even though Mayfield won the role, he's confident the team can have success with any of the three men who were up for the job.
"It's been a very tight battle among those three guys," said Stoops. "Baker, Trevor (Knight) and Cody (Thomas) have all made substantial progress and I feel we can win with any of them."
Mayfield faced an uphill battle landing the job for more reasons than just a lack of communication with Stoops. He was forced to sit out the entire 2014 campaign because of the transfer and had to overcome the presence of experienced quarterbacks in Knight and Thomas.
Knight threw for 2,300 yards and 14 touchdowns last season in 10 games for the Sooners, while Thomas racked up 342 yards and two touchdowns in limited play in seven contests.
This isn't the first time Mayfield has overcome the odds to win a starting job. After walking on at Texas Tech, he landed the No. 1 quarterback role for the Red Raiders as a true freshman in 2013.