Former Oklahoma football megastar Baker Mayfield finished third in the AP Comeback Player of the Year voting during Thursday night’s NFL Honors. Following a disastrous 2022 campaign, Mayfield signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason, leading them to the postseason and throwing 28 touchdowns on a career-best 4,044 yards.
Mayfield is no stranger to making comebacks or defying the critics, dating back to walking on and playing as a true freshman for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He again silenced the critics in 2015, his first season with the Oklahoma Sooners following his transfer. Additionally, Mayfield’s former college head coach, Bob Stoops, spoke highly about Mayfield’s ability to beat the odds after the latter won Pro Bowl MVP last Sunday.
Bob Stoops is never shocked when Baker Mayfield does something great. That includes when Baker won Pro Bowl Offensive MVP on Sunday.
“If I’m a betting man, I’m gonna be betting on him.” pic.twitter.com/ZYRMU4SkSN
— The REF (@KREFsports) February 9, 2024
Legendary Oklahoma Football HC Bob Stoops: Shows Love for Baker Mayfield
Former national champion coach Bob Stoops talked about his former college quarterback turned NFL starter Baker Mayfield following his award-winning performance during the Pro Bowl. The popular OU Twitter account, The Ref, shared a quote from Stoops about his former signal-caller.
“You give that guy half a chance, and he’s going to make the most of it, with any kind of team that has any kind of direction and coaching and some skill around him, and he’s going to win. I really believe his future is still on its way up. If I’m a betting man. I’m going to be betting on him.”
Stoops coached Mayfield during his final two seasons as the Oklahoma frontman from 2015 to 2016. Mayfield threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns against seven picks during his inaugural season with the Sooners, leading the team to a Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff. However, they fell short to the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl. Mayfield threw for 40 touchdowns while leading Oklahoma football to an 11-2 record during Stoops’ final season as the team’s head coach.
Baker Mayfield: Fantastic 2023 Season
Mayfield earned the NFL’s Most Improved Player of the Year Award from the Pro Football Writers of America this season for a fantastic bounce-back season. Mayfield tossed for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 picks while leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the postseason. The NFC South champs toppled the Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 during Super Wild Card Weekend. Mayfield threw for 337 yards and three scores in the win. However, they fell short to the Detroit Lions the following weekend, losing 31-23. The Oklahoma product threw for three touchdowns in defeat.
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