Big 12 Football: 50 best players of all-time

Big 12 Football best players of all-time: 5. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma football

Perhaps no player in the history of football has been counted out as much as Baker Mayfield. He was not only a one-time walk-on, but he had to do so twice to become the player we all know.

Back in 2013, he walked onto Texas Tech and became the starting quarterback under Kliff Kingsbury — and became the first true freshman to start a season opener under center in FBS history. A knee injury caused him to miss time and there were some issues between him and Kingsbury which led to his departure.

However, Mayfield didn’t have another offer despite throwing for 2,315 yards for Texas Tech but instead, walked onto Oklahoma. Before long, he made his way to their roster and by 2015, he was a two-time walk-on starter.

Mayfield continued to grow as a quarterback and by his senior campaign, he was one of the best in the nation. He threw for 4,627 yards that year with 43 touchdowns (his second season in a row with more than 40) and only six interceptions. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy for that season and then entered the NFL Draft, where the doubts came back.

This time, there were concerns of immaturity as well as a knock on his 6-foot-1 frame. In the end, the Cleveland Browns took him first overall and bet on him to turn their franchise around. He did that as he led them to the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2002.