Report: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield appealing to play in 2014
By Phil Watson
According to a report, the University of Oklahoma will file an appeal on behalf of transfer quarterback Baker Mayfield on Thursday, in hopes of having the quarterback declared eligible to play in 2014.
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ESPN.com reported that Mayfield, a freshman walk-on at Texas Tech last season, decided to leave the Red Raiders when he was told he wouldn’t be put on scholarship even after being named the Big 12’s Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Mayfield became the first freshman walk-on to start at quarterback for a BCS school, but he said when Texas Tech informed him he would not be guaranteed a scholarship for this season, he decided to transfer.
Texas Tech blocked Mayfield’s request to allow Oklahoma to put him on scholarship before July 1, according to Mayfield’s attorney, Jim Darnell. If the transfer had been approved by Tech, he would have been eligible to play this year.
Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said it was procedure, not revenge, that prompted the decision.
"“The NCAA has the in-conference (transfer) policy for a reason. To have a walk-on kid win Big 12 freshman of the year and then he leaves and there is a negative spin to it, it is tough.“I wish him well and I’m still proud of what we did there and I’ll be proud watching him moving forward in every game except for one.”"
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, however, wonders why Texas Tech is raising such a fuss over a player they didn’t have anything invested in.
"“I think it’s one thing if you’ve invested a scholarship in an individual and he decides to leave, heck, they even half the time allow them to play immediately. But a guy that you haven’t invested a scholarship in? I don’t know why that would even be something. Why would that be an issue?”"
Last season, Mayfield played eight games for Texas Tech and threw for 2,315 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions, completing 64.1 percent of his passes. He also ran for 190 yards and three scores.
Mayfield did not play in Texas Tech’s 37-23 win over Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. The Red Raiders won Mayfield’s first five starts, but lost his last three.