NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Baker Mayfield arrived on Oklahoma’s campus as an unpredictable gunslinger with a chip on his shoulder.
He’s still an emotional sparkplug, but he has reined in his play and evolved into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football history.
Mayfield made his name as an underdog with something to prove. He started his college journey as a walk-on at Texas Tech, then transferred to Oklahoma and became a star. Last season, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.
Now, after an even better season, he’s bound for New York as a Heisman finalist. Though nobody is slighting him anymore, Mayfield’s competitive fire has pushed him to new heights. His efficiency rating of 197.8 is the highest in FBS history, ahead of the record of 191.8 set by Russell Wilson in 2011.
“I’ve had a good year,” Mayfield said. “A lot of that is a credit to my teammates. The way we’ve practiced and the way we’ve executed every week, every day, just the way we’ve worked – it’s shown just by our undefeated conference run.”