Baker Mayfield wins 2017 Heisman Trophy

After a sensational season, Baker Mayfield is the winner of the 2017 Heisman Trophy.

Following the 2015 college football season, his breakout year for the Oklahoma Sooners after deciding to leave Texas Tech that resulted in a spot in the College Football Playoff, Baker Mayfield was just barely on the outside looking in at the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth in the voting. Last season, Mayfield inched closer toward tasting the glory every college football player dreams of, earning an invite to New York City this time around. However, he only inched slightly closer to the Heisman, this time finishing third in the voting as Louisville’s Lamar Jackson ran away from everyone in the sport to capture the bronze statue.

Well, coming into Saturday night, we knew that Mayfield would attain that Heisman dream he’s had most of his life, and not even a returning Jackson was going to stop him. That was indeed the case, as Mayfield was named the winner of the 2017 Heisman Trophy Saturday, earning him a spot in the illustrious club.

This past season, in helping lead the Sooners to their second College Football Playoff appearance in his three years as the program’s starting quarterback, Mayfield was simply jaw-dropping. The Austin, Texas native finished the year with 41 touchdowns and just five interceptions, completing 71 percent of his passes for 4,340 yards in the high-potent Oklahoma offensive scheme. To best highlight how effective Mayfield was hurling the ball from inside or outside the pocket this year, all anyone needs to do is look back to the annual Bedlam Game against Oklahoma State. In the thrilling 62-52 win over the rival Cowboys, Mayfield tossed for an astonishing 598 yards and five touchdowns, completing nearly 67 percent of his passes.

Mayfield’s Heisman win does not come without some controversy, however. He’s been heavily criticized for incidents both on and off the field. Back in February, Mayfield found himself in some hot water for a drunken incident involving the police that took place in Fayetteville, Arkansas. From that incident, Mayfield pled guilty, and in exchange for the plea, only had to pay fine and restitution. He generally gets a pass for that off-field incident, but fans and critics aren’t so kind when it comes to his on-field behavior. Two instances stand out the most in that regard: the flag-planting in Columbus after the win over Ohio State and the crotch grabbing gesture in the win over Kansas after throwing a touchdown. Mainly for those on-field happenings, naysayers will likely not be pleased with the results of Saturday’s voting.

But, when it comes down to it, you simply can’t deny that Mayfield was the best player in college football during the 2017 season, and his attributes led his team to a shot at the national championship. That shot — which begins in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day against No. 3 Georgia — will come in less than a month’s time, but for now, Mayfield and Oklahoma fans can enjoy the fact that the Heisman has returned to Norman for the first time since 2008.

Mayfield’s Heisman chase has arrived at its happy ending.