Big 12 Football: Top 20 quarterbacks since 2000
By Andrew Tineo
Career Stats: 63.2% completions, 13,618 yards, 92 touchdowns, 26 interceptions
Unlike Collin Klein, Mason Rudolph was thrown into the fire in 2014, after J.W. Walsh suffered an injury, prior to their matchup with Baylor. Although losing to the Bears, Rudolph flashed potential, as he racked up 281 passing yards, to go with two touchdowns.
Rudolph finished his season the best way he could, with an upset victory at Oklahoma, as well as, a near 300-yard performance in Oklahoma State’s bowl win over Washington.
It showed promise for the following season, and Rudolph delivered in a big way. The receivers Rudolph was finding and the throws he was making made Oklahoma State offense must-watch TV.
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Multiple 400-yard performances, alongside a five touchdown game over TCU, had Oklahoma State in the thick of the race for not only the conference championship but the College Football Playoff. A 9-0 start was ruined with Baylor beating Rudolph for the second consecutive season. Rudolph was injured early in the Oklahoma game in a loss while falling to Mississippi in their bowl game.
Following his sophomore year, Rudolph contributed to consecutive 10 win seasons, with wins in the Alamo and Camping World bowl. Many household names, including Marcell Atemen, James Washington, and Tylan Wallace, were some of Rudolph’s targets.
The future looked bright, with his performance in his debut back in 2014. He finished with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, to go along with the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 2017.