Without taking a snap, Mayfield already a star in Sooner Nation

By foxsports
Published

The expectation is that quarterback Baker Mayfield, a one-time walk-on sensation at Texas Tech, will become the Oklahoma Sooners' starting quarterback, and ultimately a star.

The reality is that without even taking a snap, Mayfield is already a star among Sooner Nation.

Part of it is simply that incumbent quarterback Trevor Knight underwhelmed last season. When that happens the backup QB is always the most popular player on the team. Knight, though, is in serious jeopardy of losing his job.

Mayfield, also a junior after losing his sophomore season to NCAA transfer rules, has made headlines without playing a game. He's shown off his dance moves, Instagram pictures with his Oklahoma State soccer player girlfriend and most recently a Twitter rant that tackled racism.

If Mayfield can successfully operate the Sooners' new Air Raid offense, he just might become a legend.

His rapid ascendency in terms of fan popularity, spurred The Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson to pose this question: Has OU ever had a quarterback like Mayfield, famous among the crimson and cream faithful without ever having done anything in the crimson and cream?

Carlson came up with a few names that were equal parts hype and hope before they took a snap: Jack Mildren in 1968, Eric Mitchell in 1985 and Rhett Bomar in 2004. 

Of those three, only Mildren went on to be a star for the Sooners. Mitchell was passed over by Barry Sanders for Jamelle Holieway after Troy Aikman got hurt. And Bomar got himself run out of town he it became known that he had been paid for work he never did at a local car dealership.

Carlson then asks: So, what does all of this mean for Baker Mayfield?

Well, let's let him win the starting job first.

(h/t The Oklahoman)

Photo Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports