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Who is Baker Mayfield’s backup?

By Brad Berreman

Apr 9, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up during the first half of the spring game at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up during the first half of the spring game at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield may face discipline after being arrested Saturday morning, so who is behind him on the depth chart?

On Saturday morning in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield was arrested and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing and resisting arrest. The school released a token statement (via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter) regarding awareness of the situation and the need more information, but the police report does not paint Mayfield in a very good light.

It’s a long way between now and Mayfield facing any suspension for his actions. But coming off a second straight great season in 2016 (3,965 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, eight interceptions), Mayfield is a top 2017 Heisman contender and the Sooners are in the national championship conversation as long as he is under center.

With a court date on April 7 for the public intoxication charge, Mayfield is in a bit of limbo right now. So you may already be asking: Who is Mayfield’s backup?

As a freshman last season, Austin Kendall completed 16 of 22 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns as Mayfield’s backup. He will be back in the fold this year, but Kendall is likely to be bumped down a spot on the depth chart to make way for a new face.

Kyler Murray spent the 2015 season at Texas A&M, appearing in eight games and making three starts as a freshman for Kevin Sumlin. He completed 72 of 121 passes for 686 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions, while adding 335 rushing yards and another score. After that, as part of an odd quarterback exodus in College Station, the 2014 Gatorade National Player of the year and five-star recruit out of Allen, Texas transferred to Oklahoma.

Related Story: Baker Mayfield arrested on public intoxication charges

The Sooners open the 2017 season against UTEP, which should be a mark in the win column regardless of who the quarterback is. A multi-game suspension for Mayfield seems unlikely, especially if Sooners’ head coach Bob Stoops has any say in the matter, assuming a suspension is levied at all by the university. But a Week 2 road trip to take on Ohio State will clearly lose some immediate luster if Murray is in line to start in place of Mayfield.

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