With 732 first-place votes and 2,398 points in the voting totals, the Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield has run away with the Heisman Trophy. In the pursuit for the award, which honors the most outstanding player in college football in the United States, were also Stanford running back Bryce Love who ended second with 75 first-place votes and 1,300 points and third-placed Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson, who was last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, collected 47 first-place votes and 793 points.
“This is unbelievable for me, being up here among these greats,” – said Mayfield said upon receiving the award. “It’s something that words can’t even describe. God has put me in this position that I’m so blessed, and a lot of times I wonder why. But it’s such an honor to be up here. It’s unbelievable.“
Mayfield became the sixth University of Oklahoma player that won the trophy after Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White and Sam Bradford. This means that his statue will soon be a part of Oklahoma’s Heisman Park. He also won multiple other awards in 2017 including Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and was named Associated Press Player of the Year. Oklahoma Sooners quarterback also became the only player in the history to start his career as a walk-on and win the Heisman Trophy.
Baker Mayfield had an amazing season, having completed 71.0 of his pass attempts (262 – 369) for 4,340 yards. He managed 41 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Despite his success at college, many football analysts doubt that Mayfield has what it takes to make it in NFL. He is considered undersized for his position, and also there is a belief that his power isn’t sufficient for the league. There is also the issue with his behavior off the field, that could make NFL GMs doubting he will be a good fit for their team.
