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Ranking the 50 best college football players for 2016

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

What if I told you a former collegiate walk-on has become a top Heisman Trophy contender? Well, that’s exactly what Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is after walking on at Texas Tech and then deciding to transfer to help out the Sooners during a quarterback crisis. Trevor Knight wasn’t cutting it for Oklahoma and Mayfield took the reigns in 2015 and hasn’t looked back.

The Austin, Texas, native is a former Freshman All-American who decided his best opportunities were elsewhere, transferring to Oklahoma and eventually winning the starting job over a kid who had underperformed on a regular basis.

Year One at Oklahoma was a resounding success as he was named a first-team All-American by multiple publications as well as a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 quarterback. He was also the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and opened plenty of eyes after he put up some big numbers in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

The success isn’t new to Mayfield, though, as he passed for over 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman, but his third year was his greatest, passing for 3,700 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while completing 68 percent of his throws for an Oklahoma team that made it to the College Football Playoff.

Mayfield might just be on his way to a Heisman Trophy under Bob Stoops in 2016.

Next: 6. Dalvin Cook

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