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[h=1]Mayfield still held hostage by Texas Tech while thriving with Oklahoma[/h]December 17, 2015 10:23 am ET
Two years ago, Texas Tech didn't think Baker Mayfield was good enough to earn a scholarship but he was more than good enough to play. Mayfield led Texas Tech to a 7-0 start as an unrecruited freshman walk-on.As that unrecruited walk-on, Mayfield became the Big 12 offensive freshman of the year. Today, as Oklahoma's quarterback, he is in line to play for a national championship. He just finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The school that needed that unrecruited walk-on to bail them out would not let go. In fact, Texas Tech has more control over an All-America caliber quarterback -- more than 24 months in the team's rear-view mirror -- than anyone except perhaps Mayfield's parents.
The NCAA, the conference, and the school -- specifically coach Kliff Kingsbury -- would not sign off on Mayfield getting a fourth year of eligibility in 2017. The Red Raiders did not provide him with the opportunity to use a one-time transfer exception. Oh sure, they can hide behind Big 12 and NCAA rules, but the fact remains.
By not signing off on waiving Mayfield's redshirt year after he transferred to Oklahoma in 2014, none of them agreed to do the right thing.
About the only reason any of it matters now is the former walk-on is suddenly All-America worthy. If Mayfield was a third-stringer, you have to doubt any of it would be an issue.
As it stands, it looks petty, vindictive ... and completely by the book.
Big 12 rules call for intra-conference transfers to lose a year of eligibility. It gets complicated when you consider Mayfield was a free agent his entire time at Tech -- bound to the school by exactly nothing except those rules.
He had not only lost the starting job for the bowl game after that 2013 season, there was no clear guarantee if and when Mayfield was getting that scholarship.
This crisis comes down to a basic moral question: What right does Tech have to control the college career of a now-star player they didn't think enough of to buy books for?
Being a free agent has been anything but free.
As Mayfield's career is blowing up, it could be ending abruptly when his eligibility suddenly expires after the 2016 season. Some of this is thanks to short-sighted and longstanding NCAA bylaw. Some of this is thanks a school that couldn't or wouldn't find room for a walk-on who got most of his recruiting interest from Florida Atlantic.
One who then helped the Red Raiders to an eight-win season -- still the best of Kingsbury's short head-coaching career.
Mayfield's circumstances and departure should have made him that free agent -- at least transfer-wise. Instead, he remains held hostage in a frustrating situation.
If he can't play, he can't beat Texas Tech (at least in 2017).
It looks like the quarterback, his family and Oklahoma are out of options. Even if Texas Tech were somehow convinced to do the right thing and grant the transfer exemption, it could not retroactively be applied.
“I'm not aware of any [options],” Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda said.
Not many folks are talking. Mayfield's family has hired high-powered attorney Jim Darnell from El Paso. (Check his bonafides repping Johnny Manziel.)
The Big 12 faculty athletic representatives who denied an appeal in May won't so much as reveal the vote totals against Mayfield's request. All we know is that it was a majority, at least 6-4 against.
Those FARs are supposed to be a moral conscious of fair treatment of the student-athlete. In this case, they're hiding behind their votes.
As with most cases like this, the right thing to do gets lost in the crossfire. No doubt, Big 12 and NCAA officials are worried an exemption for Mayfield will open some sort of loophole -- except that none of us can remember many unrecruited walk-ons becoming All-Americans.
Mayfield deserves better. Mayfield deserves that exemption. If he is truly done after next season, the only winners are Kingsbury and Tech.
Kingsbury doesn't even have to say out loud he has no desire to face Mayfield two more times. He's a coach. That concern has to play into this. In October, Mayfield threw for two touchdowns in a 63-27 win over the Red Raiders.
We have no idea what level of animosity -- if any -- exists between Mayfield and Kingsbury. Baker's father, James, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The Oklahomanreported Mayfield left after 2013 “because of issues with” Kingsbury.
But that's kind of the point. None of that matters. Shouldn't the best interest of the athlete hold sway here? Mayfield is the guy who (next to) no one wanted out of high school. Mayfield is the one who stepped up when injuries left Kingsbury with no other options in 2013, becoming the first true freshman walk-on quarterback to start a season for a BCS school.
"We didn't envision this when he came on campus,” Kingsbury said that night.
Oklahoma isn't blameless here. Mayfield grew up a Sooners fan. During an unofficial visit in high school, Mayfield's dad said Oklahoma coaches were “unimpressed.”
That's on Bob Stoops and his staff. Given a second chance, they cashed in. Mayfield is on scholarship at OU. Whether Kingsbury had a scholarship available isn't really relevant. Texas Tech shouldn't have this much control over a walk-on. No one should.
The NCAA allows a one-time transfer exemption for walk-ons if the former school approves. Tech did not certify in writing that it had no objection that Mayfield to be eligible right away at OU in 2014, according to The Oklahoman.
That essentially sealed Mayfield's fate. He should be a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining. Instead, he was left with three years of eligibility in a four-year period.
And you wonder why the modern college athlete feels more empowered? Northwestern players considered unionization. Last month, those Missouri players threatened a boycott unless the system president was removed.
In September, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby warned of the future speaking to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
“There will be a day in the future when the popcorn is popped, the TV cameras are there, the fans are in the stands and the team decides they're not going to play,” Bowlsby said. “Mark my words.”
In this case, beer doesn't necessarily lead to heroin. But Mayfield situation's certainly doesn't further the current trend of liberating the athlete.
An NCAA committee continues to work on loosening those transfer restrictions. It's complicated starting with the fact millionaire coaches can leave anytime they want.
Meanwhile, Mayfield remains strangely bound to the school that used him up as a street free agent. And then used him to further their own interests.
All by the book, mind you.
[h=1]MAYFIELD NAMED SPORTING NEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
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By Mike Houck
Assistant A.D. / Strategic Communications
DECEMBER 17, 2015
NORMAN — One week after finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting, Oklahoma junior quarterback Baker Mayfield was selected by Sporting News as college football's top dog. The publication named Mayfield its national player of the year Thursday.
It marks the second major honor for Mayfield, who also won the Burlsworth Trophy last week as the nation's best player who began his career as a walk-on.
"The only reason I get recognized is because of the work of our team and the success it has," he added. "I'm thankful for my teammates and coaches and to be able to go compete for a national championship with them."
Mayfield, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American by Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation, ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and pass efficiency rating (178.9), No. 6 in passing TDs (35) and points responsible for per game (21.0) and No. 7 in pass completion percentage (.686). The Austin, Texas, native has accounted for 42 touchdowns and only five turnovers (8.4 to 1 ratio) on the season and has helped OU surpass 500 yards of total offense in nine of 12 games, including in each of the last seven.
In addition, he has thrown for at least one touchdown in all 12 games and for at least three TDs in eight contests. He has also rushed for 420 yards and seven scores.
Sporting News senior college football writer Matt Hayes penned of Mayfield: "He’s a program-defining player whose spirit, intensity and moxie rub off on others around him, forcing them to perform at his level."
Mayfield becomes the seventh Oklahoma player to be named Sporting News Player of the Year. Previous honorees were Billy Vessels (1952), Tommy McDonald (1956), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008). Only Ohio State (nine) has had more winners.
[/h]
By Mike Houck
Assistant A.D. / Strategic Communications
DECEMBER 17, 2015
It marks the second major honor for Mayfield, who also won the Burlsworth Trophy last week as the nation's best player who began his career as a walk-on.
"The only reason I get recognized is because of the work of our team and the success it has. I'm thankful for my teammates and coaches and to be able to go compete for a national championship with them."
- Baker Mayfield
"It's a great honor to be named Sporting News' Player of the Year," said Mayfield, whose Big 12-champion Sooners will take on top-ranked Clemson on Dec. 31 in the Capital One Orange Bowl at the College Football Playoff in Miami, Fla. "If you look at the list of people who have won this award, it's very prestigious and some great legends from OU have won it. It's humbling and I'm grateful to be able to represent my school.- Baker Mayfield
"The only reason I get recognized is because of the work of our team and the success it has," he added. "I'm thankful for my teammates and coaches and to be able to go compete for a national championship with them."
Mayfield, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American by Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation, ranks No. 2 nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and pass efficiency rating (178.9), No. 6 in passing TDs (35) and points responsible for per game (21.0) and No. 7 in pass completion percentage (.686). The Austin, Texas, native has accounted for 42 touchdowns and only five turnovers (8.4 to 1 ratio) on the season and has helped OU surpass 500 yards of total offense in nine of 12 games, including in each of the last seven.
In addition, he has thrown for at least one touchdown in all 12 games and for at least three TDs in eight contests. He has also rushed for 420 yards and seven scores.
Sporting News senior college football writer Matt Hayes penned of Mayfield: "He’s a program-defining player whose spirit, intensity and moxie rub off on others around him, forcing them to perform at his level."
Mayfield becomes the seventh Oklahoma player to be named Sporting News Player of the Year. Previous honorees were Billy Vessels (1952), Tommy McDonald (1956), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008). Only Ohio State (nine) has had more winners.
Oklahoma OC Lincoln Riley interviewed for open head coaching jobs but has stayed with the Sooners.
[h=1]Oklahoma football: Keeping Riley preserves Sooners' chemistry[/h]John Shinn | The Norman Transcript
Last Updated - Dec 20, 2015 15:08 EST
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NORMAN, Okla. —Teams can change in the month between the end of a regular season and a bowl game. No. 4 Oklahoma dodged the biggest alteration it could've faced.
Keeping offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley in the fold was a potential crisis the Sooners averted.
"That was one of the adversity things trying to knock our focus off," wide receiver Durron Neal said. "He didn't let it knock the focus off. We didn't pay it any mind."
Whether it was the emergence of quarterback Baker Mayfield or the hiring of Riley that caused the Sooners to make the positive offensive turnaround of the last year is a debate that will never have a definitive answer. Both deserve credit along with every other player and coach.
Like everything else in team sports, it's not the plays that have changed, it's the chemistry. That change should be apparent when the Sooners face No. 1 Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl Dec. 31 and the first of two College Football Playoff games that day.
MORE: College football bowls "A to Z"
The vibe around OU has dramatically changed since the 2014 season ended with a 40-6 loss to the Tigers in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Losing Riley certainly could've made that chemistry unstable.
The odds are strong Riley will land a head coaching job in the coming years. The OU offensive coordinator job has traditionally been a launching pad for that opportunity.
OU coach Bob Stoops wants his assistants to land head coaching jobs. Up until Josh Heupel, who brought in Riley to replace, his previous four offensive coordinators landed head coaching jobs. It's five if you count Kevin Sumlin, who didn't call plays at OU, but landed the Houston job in December of 2007.
"I take great pride in it," he said. "Mike Leach was only here nine months or 10 months as well, whatever it was. When I hired Mike, I told him if you do a good job here, I'll bet within a few years I bet you'll have a head coaching job. It took 10 months. I want my guys to have the right opportunities and good opportunities. That's a positive."
Players echoed their head coach. They want what Riley wants.
"If the best opportunity comes his way, we're going to support him. That's our coach," Neal said. "But we knew he was invested in our team and, in your head, you think we just got him here. Now everybody wants him. They had their chance. It was one of those deals where that's Coach Riley and we're going to support him. We've built a relationship with him."
RELATED: College Football Q&A Bowl Edition
This month, it was South Carolina and Memphis that interviewed Riley to take over their programs. Ultimately, South Carolina picked Will Muschamp and Memphis went with Mike Norvell. Both were coordinators.
It's a safe bet Riley will sit down with some athletic directors in need of a head coach next December. The 32-year-old OU offensive coordinator is considered a rising star in the coaching field.
"I know we won't be able to hold on to him forever, before too long, but I also was very confident that he wasn't leaving us," center Ty Darlington said.
I watched the Bob Stoops show last night. Iwould have to say that the Sooners are really up for this game with Clemson....big time. That is a positive thing. Too many times OU has entered bowls unprepared and unmotivated. Not the case this time around. Not to say Clemson is not up also. It has been quite a while since I have seen an OU team this motivated and also have the added plus of having a motivating coaching staff. I saw this coming before the season started. I sensed it at their spring game. I have attended many of their spring games but I left this year's game with the impression that this team was hightly motivated and that the coaching changes were a big part of that. I thought they would improve as the season progressed and QB Mayfiled exceeded all expectations. If Clemson wins power to them. I am not knocking them. I am simply saying that backing OU at this point in time is much easier than it was in the preseason. Many were down on Bob Stoops but I think he has shown us all that he still has it. I hope it carries his team to a national championship but there are no guarantees for any of the final four. May the best team win. BOL
If you analyze Clemson’s opponents there are some stats that will come up if you dig deep enough.
For instance, Clemson is ranked #18 in scoring defense which is pretty impressive, that is unless you dig a little deeper. If you average out their opponents offensive scoring rankings (and eliminate Wofford) you will see that that average comes out to 63.92. So in effect on average they faced offenses that ranked #64 out of 127. That includes facing #110 S. Carolina, #120 W Forest, and #121 B College. The highest ranked offense they faced was N Carolina who scored 37 points against the Tigers. NC State scored 41 against them with their #38 ranked offense.
Just for the record on average OU faced teams who averaged #47 but they faced the #1, #2, #8, and #9 teams in scoring offense.
For instance, Clemson is ranked #18 in scoring defense which is pretty impressive, that is unless you dig a little deeper. If you average out their opponents offensive scoring rankings (and eliminate Wofford) you will see that that average comes out to 63.92. So in effect on average they faced offenses that ranked #64 out of 127. That includes facing #110 S. Carolina, #120 W Forest, and #121 B College. The highest ranked offense they faced was N Carolina who scored 37 points against the Tigers. NC State scored 41 against them with their #38 ranked offense.
Just for the record on average OU faced teams who averaged #47 but they faced the #1, #2, #8, and #9 teams in scoring offense.
