The 30 best college football quarterbacks of the 21st century

• Heisman Trophy winner (2017)
• Heisman Trophy finalist (2016)
• 2X First-Team All-American (2015, 2017)
• Maxwell Award (2017), Walter Camp Award (2017), Davey O’Brien Award (2017)

Baker Mayfield’s college football career was anything but conventional but was also one of the most memorable and decorated ever as well. He began his college career as a walk-on for Texas Tech where he earned the starting job as a true freshman. In eight games, Mayfield showed his penchant for the position as he threw for 2,315 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

However, Mayfield and the Texas Tech coaches ultimately butted heads over his future and scholarship status, leading the quarterback to transfer to Oklahoma, where he also walked on. After sitting out 2014 due to transfer rules, Mayfield earned the starting job in 2015 and led the Sooners to a College Football Playoff berth. In that season, though, he balled out with 3,700 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions, along with seven rushing scores. He finished fourth in Heisman voting that year.

The following season, Mayfield again was in the Heisman mix, finishing third in the voting. He improved upon his previous season with the Sooners, throwing for 3,965 yards, 40 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also led Oklahoma to a 10-2 regular season and Sugar Bowl win over Auburn.

In his final college season, though, the fiery signal-caller left his unmistakable stamp on the sport — and the Ohio State “O”. The quarterback threw for 4,627 yards, 43 touchdowns and only six interceptions to go with five rushing touchdowns. That was good enough to earn him the Heisman, finally, and to also lead the Sooners to the CFP again, though they lost to Georgia in a thrilling semifinal.

While his on-field demeanor often rubbed people the wrong way, Mayfield’s unforgettable journey and play on the field leave no doubt about his place in college football history.