Baker Mayfield: From Walk-On to NFL Quarterback
Baker Reagan Mayfield, born on April 14, 1995, is an American professional football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL is a testament to his dedication and motivation, rising from an unrecruited walk-on to a Heisman Trophy winner and first overall NFL draft pick.
Early Years and Texas Tech
According to his 247Sports profile, Baker Mayfield was ranked the No. 1,029 prospect in the 2013 recruiting class. He was the No. 42 pro-style prospect. Mayfield's football journey started at Texas Tech University where he served as the first ever walk-on to open an FBS season as quarterback. The true freshman walk-on broke the record for most completions (43 of 60) by a quarterback in a career debut. Kliff Kingsbury found another one…
Mayfield was named the Week 1 starter, becoming the first player in FBS history to start a season-opener as a walk-on freshman. In his first start against SMU, Mayfield passed for 413 yards and four touchdowns. Mayfield put up massive numbers starting with his first-ever college game, when he completed 43-of-60 passes for 413 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against SMU, while adding a touchdown on the ground. That would remain his career-best in terms of single-game passing yards and touchdowns for more than a year. Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Sept. 2013): "Texas Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after passing for 413 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-23 win at SMU. The Odessa (Tex.) American (Sept. 2013): "The Red Raiders are No.
Later in his freshman season at Texas Tech, Mayfield threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns against Stephen F. Austin and 314 yards and four touchdowns against Baylor.
Former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury (Dec. 2013): "He was emphatic that he wanted to start somewhere fresh. I'm the biggest Baker Mayfield fan in the world and will cheer for him. It's just one of the deals that it just didn't work out here. After playing for Texas Tech, Mayfield transferred to the University of Oklahoma in January 2014, but had not contacted the Sooners coaching staff.
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Transfer to Oklahoma and Heisman Glory
In February 2014, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops confirmed that Mayfield would be walking on for the Oklahoma Sooners. After sitting out the 2014 season after transferring to Oklahoma, Mayfield emerged as an even more prolific quarterback in 2015.
On August 24, 2015, Mayfield was named the starting quarterback for the Sooners after winning an open quarterback competition against Trevor Knight. Ryan Aber of The Daily Oklahoman (Sept. 2015): "Baker Mayfield said after he was named Oklahoma's starting quarterback that he didn't get nervous before games and wouldn't be before the Sooners played Akron. He was wrong. Mayfield grew up rooting for the Sooners, one of the 85,000 in the stands instead of one of the 85 scholarship athletes on the field for OU. Jason Kersey of The Daily Oklahoman (Sept. 2015): "Mayfield has injected life into an OU program that desperately needed it, especially after last season's crushing disappointment. ABC analyst Ray Bentley (Oct. 2015): "Look at the way he hustles back to the huddle. I like the way Baker Mayfield plays the game of football. Then there's the quickness he has. The Daily Oklahoman (Oct. 2015): "Mayfield walked on as a freshman and opened the 2013 season as Tech's starter, but lost the job later in the season. Baker Mayfield before playing Texas Tech for the first time (Oct. 2015): "It's human nature to try and get revenge. That's just how everybody works, but I've got to focus on doing my job and my job only, and that's going out and executing my stuff and helping our team win.
On September 6, 2015, Mayfield started against Akron. Mayfield totaled 388 passing yards with three passing touchdowns on 23 completions in the 41-3 win. In the second game of the 2015 season, Mayfield started at Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. The Sooners were ranked 19th at the time and the Volunteers were ranked 23rd. Mayfield started off very slow in the game, not even reaching midfield until the 13-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma came back from a 17-point deficit to win the game by a score of 31-24 in double overtime. Mayfield threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 19 completions while throwing two interceptions early in the game. In the third game of the season, Mayfield started against Tulsa. He had a career day, throwing for 487 yards and four touchdowns, including 316 yards in the first half. Mayfield threw for 346 yards and four touchdowns against Kansas State, 328 yards and four touchdowns at Iowa State, and 288 yards and three scores against Oklahoma State. Mayfield threw for 410 yards and two touchdowns (while running in two more) on the road against Kansas State. He completed 24-of-36 attempts for 598 yards and five touchdowns against Oklahoma State, which was followed by a four-game stretch with 13 passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
Mayfield finished the year with 3,700 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, a résumé which propelled him to fourth place in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Mayfield helped lead Oklahoma to the 2015 Orange Bowl, which served as the semifinal for the 2015 College Football Playoff.
Mayfield started off the 2016 season with 323 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 33-23 loss to #15 Houston. In the rivalry game against Texas on October 8, he had 390 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the 45-40 victory. On October 22, in a 66-59 victory over Texas Tech, Mayfield had 545 passing yards and seven touchdowns in a historic matchup against future NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes tallied 734 passing yards and five touchdowns to go along with Mayfield's numbers in a game that broke various single-game passing records. Over the final five games of the regular season, Mayfield totaled 1,321 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, and three interceptions, to go along with three rushing touchdowns.
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Baker Mayfield (Sept. 2016): "We've had a couple of team meetings about how the season's not over. We can still run the table in the Big 12 and get to where we want to in the end. Yeah, playoffs might not be a part of that discussion, but we can still end up in a very good bowl game. To do that, we have to win out and win the Big 12 so it's that mindset, backs against the wall. Berry Tramel of The Daily Oklahoma (Oct. 2016): "Baker Mayfield is high-energy and admitted that he tried to do too much early in the season. But in an emotion-charged return to Lubbock, Mayfield not only played within himself, he played a game for the ages.
In December 2016, it was announced that Mayfield and his top receiving target, Dede Westbrook, would be finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy. In the 2017 Sugar Bowl, Mayfield helped lead the Sooners to a 35-19 victory over Auburn.
Berry Tramel of The Daily Oklahoman (Sept. 2017): "OU was led by the usual suspect, Baker Mayfield, who against Ohio State's ruffian defensive line played a game for the ages. Jenni Carlson of The Daily Oklahoman (Sept. 2017): "Saturday night after the Sooners dismantled Ohio State, the OU quarterback took a giant crimson flag for a victory lap - but he never made it all the way around Ohio Stadium. Instead, he took a detour and planted the flag at midfield. Well, he attempted to play it; Ohio State has synthetic grass, so it didn't exactly stick. I suspect how disrespectful you think Mayfield's actions were has a direct correlation to how much you like OU. Jenni Carlson of The Daily Oklahoman (Oct. 2017): "Seems like we could just go ahead and give Mayfield the Heisman Trophy right now. It's not just that they guy was a total gamer Saturday night, completing 32 of 41 passes for 410 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It's not just that he's continuing to elevate his play week after week.
In November 2017, Mayfield was under fire again after an interaction during the game against Kansas. When Mayfield transferred from Texas Tech to Oklahoma after his freshman year, he filed an appeal to the NCAA to allow him to be eligible to play immediately at Oklahoma on the basis that he was a walk-on and not a scholarship player at Texas Tech; therefore, the transfer rules that apply to scholarship players should not be applicable to his situation. The NCAA denied his appeal because he did not meet the criteria. On June 1, 2016, the Big 12 faculty athletic representatives voted against a rule proposal that would have allowed walk-on players to transfer within the conference and not lose a year of eligibility. The next day, the rule proposal was amended to allow walk-on players, without a written scholarship offer from the school they are transferring from, to transfer within the conference without losing a season of eligibility. The faculty athletic representatives approved the amended proposal with a vote of 7-3. The rule change made Mayfield eligible to play for Oklahoma through the 2017 season.
College Statistics and Records
Baker Mayfield achieved significant statistical milestones during his college career:
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- 1st in Memorial Stadium history in total offense: 572 yards vs.
- 1st in FBS history in highest average gain per play in a game (min. 37 plays): 14.84 yards/play vs. Texas Tech, Oct.
- 1st in Oklahoma history in total offense in a game: 589 yards vs. Oklahoma State, Nov.
- T-1st in Oklahoma history in career completion percentage (min.
- 2nd in FBS history in career passing efficiency (min.
- T-21st in FBS history in single-game passing yards: 598 passing yards vs. Oklahoma State, Nov.
- 22nd in FBS history in career passing yards per game (min.
- Responsible for the longest Oklahoma passing play in Memorial Stadium: 88 yards to Dede Westbrook vs.
NFL Career
Mayfield played in his first NFL game in Week 3 against the New York Jets, replacing an injured Tyrod Taylor with the Browns down 14-0. Mayfield started for the first time in the Browns' next game, making him the 30th starting quarterback for the Browns since their return to the NFL in 1999, in a 45-42 overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders. In Week 5, Mayfield threw for 342 passing yards and one touchdown as he earned his first victory as a Browns starter, in a 12-9 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 10, Mayfield led the Browns to a 28-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. throwing for 216 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 151.2, with no turnovers. The following week, Mayfield led the Browns to their first away win since 2015, against the Cincinnati Bengals. In Week 16, Mayfield completed 27 of 37 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in a 26-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, earning him American Football Conference (AFC) Offensive Player of the Week. He also won the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week fan vote for the sixth time. On December 29, Mayfield was fined $10,026 for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game. As reported by The Plain Dealer, Mayfield "pretended to expose his private parts" to Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens after throwing a touchdown to tight end Darren Fells. Kitchens later defended the gesture as an inside joke between the two. Mayfield's agent Tom Mills said they would appeal the fine. On December 30, in the regular-season finale against the Ravens' league-best defense and fellow rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, Mayfield threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but his three costly interceptions - one of which came at the hands of linebacker C. J.
In Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, Mayfield threw for 285 yards and a touchdown. However, he also threw three fourth-quarter interceptions, one of which was returned by Malcolm Butler for a touchdown. The Browns lost 43-13. After the blowout loss, Mayfield said, "I just think everybody just needs to be more disciplined. I think everybody knows what the problem is. We'll see if it's just bad technique or just see what it is. Dumb penalties hurting ourself and then penalties on my part. In Week 1 against the Ravens, Mayfield threw for 189 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 38-6 loss. Mayfield was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 8 after being in close contact with a person who tested positive for the virus, and was activated three days later. In Week 13 against the Titans, Mayfield completed 25 of 33 passes for 334 yards. His four touchdown passes all came in the first half, as the Browns defeated the Titans by a score of 41-35. Mayfield's four first-half TDs tied Otto Graham for a franchise record. Mayfield came close to throwing six first-half TDs, as Peoples-Jones dropped a would-be touchdown, leading to a field goal, and running back Nick Chubb wrapped up the scoring with a one-yard run near the end of the first half after Mayfield completed a 17-yard pass play to Rashard Higgins, setting up Chubb for the score. The Browns scored on all six of their first half possessions. The victory gave the Browns a 9-3 record, clinching the Browns' first winning season since 2007. Mayfield was named the FedEx Air player of the week for Week 13. In Week 14 against the Ravens, Mayfield threw for 343 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception as well as rushing for 23 yards and a touchdown during the 47-42 loss. In Week 16 against the Jets, Mayfield lost a fumble on fourth down with 1:25 remaining in the game while attempting a quarterback sneak during the 23-16 loss.
In Week 17, Mayfield and the Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-22 and earned their first playoff berth since 2002, at which time Mayfield was seven years old. In the Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mayfield went 21 of 34 for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns during the 48-37 win, leading the Browns to their first playoff victory since the 1994 season, the year before Mayfield was born.
The Browns exercised Mayfield's fifth-year contract option for the 2022 season on April 23, 2021, worth $18.9 million guaranteed. On October 7, 2021, it was revealed that Mayfield was playing with a partially torn labrum which he suffered during the Browns' Week 2 victory over the Texans. Mayfield continued to play with the injury until reaggravating it in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. Due to the injury, Mayfield was ruled out for the Browns' Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos, missing his first game since taking over as the Browns' starter in 2018. On November 14, 2021, Mayfield suffered a right knee contusion during their crushing Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots.
On July 6, 2022, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick. Mayfield competed against Sam Darnold for the starting position with the team. On August 22, 2022, Mayfield was named the Week 1 starter for the Panthers for their game against the Browns. Against the Browns, Mayfield threw for 235 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 26-24 loss despite a late rally. Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Panthers' Week 5 loss to the 49ers, which made him miss the next week against the Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield returned and backed up P. J. Walker starting in Week 8.
On December 6, 2022, Mayfield was claimed off waivers by the Rams after starting quarterback Matthew Stafford sustained a spinal cord injury on December 2. The Rams inherited the remaining $1.35 million on his contract. With only two days for Mayfield to learn the playbook after he was claimed, the Rams started John Wolford at quarterback for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Rams' head coach Sean McVay benched Wolford after the first offensive series, though, and inserted Mayfield. The Rams were trailing 16-3 in the fourth quarter, seemingly headed for their seventh consecutive loss, when Mayfield led them on a comeback. With 1:45 remaining in the game, still down by 6 points, and with no timeouts left to use, the Rams' offense took the field at their own two-yard line.
Mayfield would later credit his five-game stint with the Rams for rejuvenating his career following the disappointment of his time with Carolina. “It brought the fun back. When I’m having fun, talking trash, and enjoying it, like that’s when I’m my best.
In Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Mayfield went 3 for 11 to start the game, but soon thereafter threw a touchdown to end the first half. After that, Mayfield went 18/23 for 110 yards and a touchdown for the rest of the game, including a crucial scramble for a first down to secure a 20-17 victory. In Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, Mayfield went 26 for 34 for 317 yards and one touchdown in a 27-17 win. His 76% completion percentage for this game narrowly marked the best completion rate of his career at that point, in any of 33 games with 33+ pass attempts. Before that, his 75.8% completion rate on December 6, 2020, in a win against the Titans while on the Browns, had been his highest completion rate. This was also the first time in his career that Mayfield had started 2-0. In Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mayfield went 15/25 for 146 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, his first turnover of the season. He had one rush for 2 yards and fumbled once, which was recovered by Tampa Bay. In the Wild Card Round game against the Eagles, Mayfield completed 22 of 36 passes, for 337 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the Buccaneers to a 32-9 win over the defending NFC champions. In the Divisional round against the Detroit Lions, Mayfield completed 26 of 41 passes for 349 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Mayfield helped lead the Buccaneers to a playoff berth. In the NFC Wild Card Round, Mayfield led two touchdown drives and two drives that ended in a field goal.
Personal Life
Baker Reagan Mayfield was born on April 14, 1995, in Austin, Texas, to James and Gina Mayfield as the younger of two sons. James, a private equity consultant, encountered financial difficulties during his younger son's senior year in high school.
NFL Quarterback and Co-Founder of the Baker & Emily Mayfield FoundationBaker Mayfield is an NFL quarterback orginally from Austin, Texas. His sophomore year of college, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2017. Baker started his NFL career as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, chosen by the Cleveland Browns. He’s served as an inspiration to aspiring football players and fans everywhere for his dedication and motivation to go from a walk-on at Texas Tech to the renowned player he is today.
Lifestyle Influencer and Co-Founder of the Baker & Emily Mayfield FoundationEmily Mayfield is Nebraska born and bred, where she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 2013. Emily worked as a patient coordinator in Los Angeles, and later launched her career as a high-profile Influencer. She often brings attention to mental health, self-care, Godly values, and promotes fitness on her platform. Baker and Emily met in 2017, and were struck by love at first sight. They married in 2019, and now reside in Tampa, Florida with their dog Fergus.
Drew Stanton was drafted to the NFL in the second round of the 2007 draft, after an impressive college football career at Michigan State. Drew played 14 seasons as a quarterback in the NFL. Baker Mayfield met Drew when they spent two years as teammates with the Cleveland Browns, where Drew served as a mentor and friend to Baker. Drew founded the High 5ive Foundation in 2007 with the mission to improve lives of people with disabilities through awareness and inspiration. Drew resides in Phoenix with his wife and four children.
Rose was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She spent her childhood years focusing on dance while traveling the country to train, compete and perform. She moved to Los Angeles to receive her BA in dance from Loyola Marymount University. After college, Rose found a passion for teaching and choreographing for the next generation of talented dancers. She also became a certified pilates instructor.
Fergus is the star of the show in the Mayfield household. He’s an Irish Setter Goldendoodle, born in early December 2021. Baker and Emily rescued him from a doodle shelter in Texas, and their worlds quickly became all about him. Fergus loves (unsuccessfully) hunting for lizards, playing in any park, and being an 80lb lap dog.
Legal Issues
that Saturday, a police officer was flagged down on an assault and battery report. The person who flagged the officer was yelling at Mayfield. The preliminary police report described Mayfield as unable to walk straight, having slurred speech and food covering the front of his shirt. When he was asked to stay so the police could get a statement, Mayfield began shouting obscenities and "causing a scene". local time on the misdemeanor charges.
Endorsements
During his tenure with the Browns, Mayfield starred in a continuing series of ads for Progressive Insurance.
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