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On the heels of a successful National Signing Day, Bob Stoops took the podium to address the media. While the conversation focused heavily upon the incoming class, it featured a tangent every now and then. One of those tangents forced Baker Mayfield to the forefront of discussion.
Stoops indicates that he met Baker Mayfield for the first time last night and will have the opportunity to walk on.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 5, 2014
Mayfield announced his plans to transfer prior to the Holiday Bowl. Hearing the news, Texas Tech initially blocked the walk-on quarterback from communicating with Oklahoma. However, he showed up at a team meal and introduced himself to the Oklahoma Sooners head coach. Stoops met the Big XII's Freshman of the Year with open arms.
I met him for the first time at a team meal. He came up and introduced himself. I said, ‘you didn't even call me. I didn't know you were even coming.' He laughed about it, said he always wanted to be here. So we'll give him that opportunity. - Bob Stoops via NewsOK
After earning a starting role in eight games and throwing for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns the future of a talented walk-on was in jeopardy until Mayfield was met with an opportunity. That opportunity landed Baker Mayfield a spot on Oklahoma's official roster.
From the onset, the possibility of missing two years (one year per NCAA Rules and a second per Intra-Conference Rules) seemed unavoidable. Fortunately for the former Red Raider quarterback, he will be made eligible to the Sooners in 2015. So where's the rub? According to Enid News, it can be found in the fact that Mayfield cannot redshirt this upcoming season. The news makes him a junior before he steps onto Owen Field as an eligible option. This leaves three Sooners to compete for the starting job.
