It was the favorite that got the job today as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback in game one a week from Saturday. Baker Mayfield is the man. The sophomore transfer from Texas Tech has played in the offensive system of new OU offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley since high school at Lake Travis near Austin, TX. Mayfield led his LT team to a state championship while at LTHS. It was the same system that he ran at Tech.
Mayfield may be the first quarterback in college history to start his first game eligible at two schools in a career. Mayfield started game on at Tech in 2013 and will do the same at OU in 2015.
Trevor Knight was named second team and Cody Thomas will be third on the depth chart. Both started at OU last year. Thomas played the balance of the season when Knight went down with an injury in game 8. Mayfield played 7 games at Tech in 2013 and was replaced when injured. His Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury didn’t offer him a scholarship at the end of 2013 and he walked on at OU in the Summer of 2013. He was not recruited by Bob Stoops and but Coach Stoops welcomed him and Mayfield ran he scout team last year for the Sooner.
According to ESPN’s Brandon Chapmon: Mayfield was the Big 12 freshman of the year in 2013. People forget the former Red Raider was named the Big 12’s top freshman in 2013, beating out Baylor’s Shock Linwood and others. He was 218 of 340 for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions during his only season in Lubbock, Texas. Even though his divorce with the Red Raiders and Kilff Kingsbury was ugly, Mayfield played a critical role in Tech’s last bowl season.
Lincoln Riley’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time for Mayfield, who has a extensive background in the Air Raid-style attack. The Sooners new offensive coordinator must feel a sense of security with Mayfield’s understanding of the offense. Neither Knight or Cody Thomas, his competitors for the starting job, have the same background in OU’s new offense.
Mayfield is now the most high profile student at OU. Coach Stoops said his decision was close. In my opinion, Baker Mayfield will take OU as far as OU goes. I think that might be along way.
Photo above: Aug 30, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Texas Tech won 41-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
