Former Texas Tech Quarterback, Baker Mayfield, Transfer Appeal Denied
Posted on: January 10, 2014
Image via zimbio.com
Multiple reports Friday afternoon confirmed that former Texas Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield’s transfer appeal has been denied by Tech thus leaving in place the original restrictions regarding his ability to transfer. Despite being a walk-on and paying his own way, Mayfield was/is still subject to the transfer rules.
Mayfield had spoken with several news outlets during the week discussing both his decision to leave Tech as well as the reasoning behind his intention to enroll at Oklahoma. Mayfield told Jake Trotter of ESPN the following:
Out of high school, I applied to three schools right off the bat: Oklahoma, TCU and I think Tech was the third. But I didn’t really want to go to Tech until late in the spring of my senior year. Oklahoma and TCU were my first two options coming out of high school. That’s where (OU) I wanted to go. I grew up an Oklahoma fan. I used to go to all the games watching a bunch of people who are in the NFL now.
Mayfield went on to tell Trotter that if his appeal was denied, as it now has been, that he would “probably look at other schools.” However, as of Friday that does not appear to be the case.
Carey Murdock of SoonerScoop.com (yes, that Carey Murdock) tweeted that Mayfield was still intending to enroll at OU. Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World tweeted the following as well:
Baker Mayfield in Norman today to register for class, per his father, James. Was "crushed" by appeal denial, but will press on. #Sooners
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) January 10, 2014
Now obviously things could change at any point and Mayfield may reconsider once the emotions and disappointment have a chance to subside. That said, if Mayfield does enroll at OU and does intend to try and be a part of this OU football program, the denial of his appeal means he would not be eligible to play (though he could practice with the team) until the 2015 season — as a junior — and would lose a year (2014) of eligibility.
Will be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out and what, if anything, ever comes of it in terms of whether or not Mayfield has a future at Oklahoma and/or with the football program. Judging by that interview with Jake Trotter referenced above Mayfield certainly isn’t lacking for confidence in his abilities, but given the performance Trevor Knight is coming off of in the Sugar Bowl and the number of other quarterbacks already ahead of him the former Tech QB certainly has his work cut out for him.
31 Comments
Would he not get to use a redshirt? He’s a true fresh correct? Seems like he wouldn’t be losing much by sitting a year
He loses the chance for a redshirt by transferring in-conference.
He loses a full year of eligibility. It is not like his status is “on hold” and can resume after a one year sitting out period. That year of sitting out would count just the same as a year being played.
Damn Blaster, why didn’t you jump in and answer questions earlier? That makes it all crystal clear! I wish I had thought of phrasing it that way HAHA!
I have not been on top of the message boards lately. I have been in Hawaii in a location with spotty internet connection. It was tough….but I managed! lol
Unless he is determined to get a degree from OU or is willing to sit until he is cleared, I think he should go somewhere else. The University of Tulsa should give him a call, He would likely be a good player for them.
Is he considered a recruit at this point and subject to the same dead period rules?
I believe he is only restricted from the Big 12, He should have the right to go anywhere else and compete right away. I also don’t think he could red shirt at OU because OU will not have a scholly that they would use on him and I’m thinking a walk-on can’t be a red shirt. I am not an expert in regulation so we may want to defer to the Brainiacs for the real scoop.
Hey guys, love the site- keep up the great work.
Question on Mayfield and NCAA rules regarding his restrictions should he decide to remain with OU: You stated that he would be eligible to practice with the team, does this mean he could also be utilized on the scout team?
Thanks in advance-
RB
Would have to assume so.
Kind of messed up seeing as how he paid his way and was not on scholarship; even said he wasn’t recruited by Tech, but I don’t know all the rules on that. Can’t hurt for him to sit and learn, if he really intends to join the team, though.
I think some of the rules are unfair to the kids but on the other hand, if there were no rules, kids would be jumping schools every time a coach yelled at them or when they got a new love interest elsewhere. In his case I think he kinda got shafted but he knew what the rules were and chose to leave so the best to him whatever happens.
Agreed there.
If he knew the conditions of transferring when he “joined” or made the team would be interesting to know. If Texass Tech made up that rule recently for be even more interesting…..and maddening.
What he knew and what the details of the walk-on/recruited situation was is confusing right now. The NCAA rules are likely as clear as the current tax code. It sounded like this “appeal board” had the right to make a decision one way or the other and you know how political that probably was!
Yep. Sounds like the “interests” of Texass Tech were put way above what was good for this kid. He now has no choice but to leave as he sure as heck won’t be welcome back to the team.
He should give coach Leach a call and walk on at Wazzu.
Leach should give him a scholarship.
I really don’t care if he comes to OU or not, but this kid is getting hosed. Tech has nothing invested in this kid, NOTHING, not one cent! And, now they own him to the point of saying where he can and cannot play football? It’s not like he enlisted in the Marines or somehow became part of their “four year plan”. Sounds like TTech doesn’t want to lose its no-cost bonus player. TTech is rapidly becoming the conferences little whiney wimpy kid instead of the “tough” west texass types they claim to be. If you can’t tell, this really pisses me off.
So your saying Tech is the new aTm? Lol.
Seems Kingsbury and TTU are douchebags. Kid thought he’d get a scholarship and contributes to the team. Don’t want to pay his school? fine, but don’t stonewall a kid that is pushing for his dreams. I could be wrong, but did he even sign a LOI with TTU?
But then again we are talking about the same TTU that fired Leach.
After starting something like 5 games he was not offered a scholarship in December? Tech was living rent free on this kid’s talent and effort?
That’s what it looks like. Crazy
Don’t know whether this would be helpful or informative, but I looked up the NCAA rules and the Big 12 Conference rules for transfers from 4 year school to anther 4 year school.
NCAA says that the “basic rule” is you have to attend the new school for a year as a full time student before you can participate. Also says that conference rules and individual school rules apply.
There is a possible exception if you were not recruited by your first school and haven’t received a scholarship. BUT
It all comes down to having to get written permission from your current school to talk to the new school’s coaches and to be granted the exception.
Ncaa rules apply inconference or out of conference. Big 12 rules refer to in conference, but basically echo the same thing. Both ncaa and conference rules say that if the request for permission is denied, the student can appeal. The appeal will be conducted a committee (at the first school) outside the athletics department.
There’s no mention of reasons, but articles written elsewhere mention the idea of discouraging players from whimsical transfers because they’re not getting immediate plying time, or have an argument with a coach; discouraging coaches from ‘poaching’ and players from transferring to opponents that are on the schedule and revealing team secrets.
Bottom line: Both Ncaa and conference rules, possibly for the reasons mentioned above and maybe others as we’ll, leave the decision to give the required written permission, to transfer and avoid sitting out, up to the original school.
The rules specifically refer to losing a year of eligibility.
Good post. Just seems odd a school could have their hooks set so deep on a non-schalarship, walk-on player.
Screw student athletes, this is indentured servitude.
If he never took a dime from Tech there is no rational reason that he can’t go someplace else. There should be no transfer rules for nonscholarship players.
Kind of crazy to still go to OU when your transfer was denied. Go out of conference and get a chance to play immediately. But hey, he wants to come in and sit a year and then get after it, go ahead. If nothing else he will get his degree from a fantastic institution of higher learning.
I have a totally off topic question. At ups I had a guy who told me Corey Nelson is living in Ohio. Can anyone confirm that? He swears its him ( he is an ex nfl player) I just cant see him living here.
I hope and pray that HS recruits see how TT handles kids. Nothing more has to be said. When things don’t work out for kids at OU I think they give them their releases. We let a 5 star RB go to TAmu. I also feel that walk ons should be treated differently since they don’t get the benefits of scholarships kids to begin with. This is a two faced situation and TT’s true colors (following yellow) have truly shown.
Mayfield was never offered by Utep, Texas San Antonio or even North Texas out of HS?