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College Football: 10 players who will make 2017 the year of the quarterback

By Cody Williams

Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in action during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in action during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts on the sidelines in the fourth quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl against the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma Sooners

The first order of business when it comes to Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield is the recent news about his arrest in Arkansas. Nothing about his run-in with the law looks particularly flattering for the 2016 Heisman Trophy finalist—or the Sooners program and general given their recent association with Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook, both with checkered pasts off the field.

However, off-field concerns and a possible suspension aside, what Mayfield is capable of on the field is nothing short of incredible. The Texas Tech transfer isn’t going to be a highly coveted draft pick, doesn’t have finely tuned mechanics at the position, and is far from the traditional signal-caller. What Mayfield is above all else, though, is a gamer and a playmaker.

Mayfield’s rushing productivity lessened a bit from 2015 to 2016 as he carried the ball 63 fewer times for 228 fewer yards and one fewer touchdown. Though that’s in his arsenal, that’s not the game of the Oklahoma QB. The veteran starter has thrown for 7,665 yards, 76 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions over the past two seasons. Even more impressive is the fact that he’s been that proficient with remarkable efficiency, completing 68.1 percent of his throws in 2015 and improving that to 70.9 percent in 2016.

The departure of the aforementioned Westbrook may have at least somewhat of a negative effect on Mayfield’s productivity, but it’s a bad bet at this point to count out the Sooners offensive leader. Despite the offseason headlines painting an unfavorable picture off the field, his performance on it will speak volumes about him as a player once again.

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