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Baker Mayfield has taken some heat this offseason for his off-the-field behavior, but he's still the Big 12"s best quarterback.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield was arrested this past February in Arkansas and it put a damper on his clean slate. However, Mayfield used it as a learning experience.
He was recorded running from the police and was later arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing and resisting arrest. Mayfield has since accepted a plea deal for those charges and has avoided suspension along with jail time.
However, that wasn't the biggest news to come out of Norman. Recently, head coach Bob Stoops retired, giving Mayfield some added incentive to finish strong. Now, Mayfield is ready to show many fans and critics why he's the best quarterback in the Big 12 Conference.
Baker Mayfield has gone 17-1 in the Big 12 since becoming starter in 2015. He's been the conference's best quarterback, which explains why he's finished top five in Heisman voting the past two seasons.
Although he'll be without Big 12 Coach of the Year Bob Stoops, Mayfield still leads a pack of quarterbacks with two seasons of stellar numbers. He has thrown for 7,665 passing yards, 76 passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions the past two seasons.
Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph has thrown for 8,714 passing yards, 55 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions in the same span. Rudolph returns three of his top four receiving targets from 2016.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Kenny Hill had an interesting time adjusting last season at quarterback. He led the conference in interceptions with 13.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele had an up-and-down season as well in his first season. He was a starter as a true freshman but still threw for 2,958 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. With new head coach Tom Herman at the the helm, the Longhorns are sure to challenge for the Big 12 crown.
Leader of the Big 12 quarterbacks
In 2015, Baker Mayfield was the Big 12 Offensive Player of Year, throwing for 3,700 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing for another 405 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He was also finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Last season was an even bigger season for Mayfield and the Sooners. Mayfield finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,965 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. He led the Big 12 and FBS in passing completion percentage (70.9) while leading the Sooners to back-to-back conference titles. His passing completion percentage was a career-high.
Mayfield will have to find a new target to replace wide receiver Dede Westbrook. Westbrook was also a Heisman finalist in 2016 after catching 80 passes for 1,524 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He was selected 110th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft in the fourth round by Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Sooners offense returns nine starters in 2017, including 6-foot-5 wide receiver Mark Andrews. Andrews was third on the team in receiving yards (489) in 2016 and second in receiving touchdowns (7).
The Sooners rushing attack won't be the same either, as they'll need to replace running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. They'll be a young team at key playmaking positions, but that doesn't mean Mayfield won't find success again in 2017.
Making the College Football Playoff
With head coach Lincoln Riley leading the charge, Mayfield should be an even more patient gunslinger in the pocket this season. He may run the tables again in the conference for his third-straight conference championship. However, the bigger goal is the College Football Playoff.
His biggest test of the season looms on September 9 when the Sooners get their rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. Oklahoma lost at home to the Buckeyes 45-24 last season.
Mayfield threw two touchdowns but also two interceptions, including a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown. On the opposite sideline, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett went 14-for-20 for 152 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Barrett chose to return in 2017 for his senior season as well. He gives the Buckeyes a good opportunity to make the College Football Playoff and will be a strong test for Mayfield and the Sooners early on the schedule.
The last time Oklahoma made the playoff was in 2015. They lost in the Orange Bowl 37-17 to the Clemson Tigers. The Sooners led 17-16 at halftime before going scoreless in the second half and giving up 21 points.
Baker Mayfield will look to redeem himself. Although, he didn't play poorly in that particular game outside of two interceptions. In his final season, he'll look to end his legacy on a positive note. He's come a long way since.
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