Heisman 2016: 5 reasons Dede Westbrook should win

By John Buhler | Dec 8, 2016

Nov 12, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) cannot make a catch as Baylor Bears cornerback Ryan Reid (9) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) leaves the field after the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 66-59. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Baker Mayfield is coming back to Oklahoma in 2017

Initially, people will think that Mayfield and Westbrook may cannibalize each other’s Heisman candidacy considering they are teammates at Oklahoma, but that actually may not be the case.

After beating the rival Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2016 Bedlam Series, Mayfield announced that he would be returning to Oklahoma for his redshirt senior season in 2017. He was granted an extra year of eligibility shortly before the start of the 2016 season.

Remember that his decision to transfer from Texas Tech to Oklahoma in 2014 cost him a year of eligibility because he transferred in-conference. He was given that year he lost back because he was a walk-on at Texas Tech and never earned a scholarship while he was at Lubbock.

So how does this impact Westbrook’s candidacy? Mayfield will almost certainly be a Heisman finalist again in 2017 with a better shot at winning it as a redshirt senior. Westbrook came to Norman last season as a JUCO transfer. He will be turning pro in the 2017 NFL Draft. Don’t be surprised if the Big 12 voting region unifies to give all of its support to Westbrook over Mayfield for that reason.

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