Earlier this year, the Big 12 voted to change their walk-on transfer rule that would give back a player that transferred as a walk-on back a year of eligibility, working in favor of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. On Monday, Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury confirmed they had voted in favor of the rule.
Mayfield was a walk-on at Texas Tech and started during his true freshman year in 2013. He transferred the following year, but since the school didn’t clear him to transfer within the conference and he went to play for the Sooners, he had to sit out the 2014 season and lost a year of eligibility.
Due to other transfer rules, this season would have been his last, but they changed the rule earlier this year. Kingsbury talked about Mayfield and gave him some pretty high praise.
“I know a lot has come from Baker’s side, but I loved coaching him, loved the chip on his shoulder, cheered for him in every game except one,” Kingsbury said.
“It’s been fun to see the success he’s had.”
Baker Mayfield’s transfer to Oklahoma has worked out pretty well as he led the Big 12 in 2015 with 36 touchdown passes, tied with Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes. He was a Heisman Trophy contender all year and he helped the team win the conference title and get a spot in the College Football Playoff.
It will certainly be interesting to see how these comments fly with the Red Raiders fan base.
