Baker Mayfield: Big 12 Reverses Course, Grants OU Quarterback Another Year

The case with Baker Mayfield’s extended eligibility has taken yet another turn – and this time the result is favorable for the Sooner quarterback and for Oklahoma and the Big 12.

In a great conclusion to a story that has taken more twists and turns than a roller coaster, the Big 12 on Thursday reversed course, by a 7-3 margin, and agreed to an amended version of the much debated transfer rule as it relates to walk-ons.

What this means is, Mayfield will regain the year of eligibility he lost when he transferred to Oklahoma following his 2013 freshman season at Texas Tech and will be able to play at Oklahoma in 2017 should he elect to do so.

On Wednesday, the Big 12 Faculty Athletic Representatives voted 5-5 to turn down a change to the Big 12 rules that would have allowed walk-on athletes who were not offered a scholarship by their school to transfer to another school without penalty.

This rule-change vote was considered Mayfield’s last chance to regain the year of eligibility he lost under the Big 12’s current rules for walk-on transfers. Since changing the rule required at least six votes, or a majority, for passage, the 5-5 tie was a defeat for Mayfield and any future walk-ons who might find themselves in a similar situation.

To say that Sooner Nation was disappointed with the Wednesday decision is a huge understatement. All over social media and sports talk radio, Sooner fans as well as college football writers and experts across the country derided the Big 12’s vote as another example of a conference that cannot seem to find its footing.

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From the foot-dragging on expansion to the stench emanating from the Baylor scandal and now this decision, the Big 12 appears to many on a path to self-destruction. In fact, shortly after absorbing the news on Wednesday, many Sooner fans called out to OU President David Boren and the Board of Regents to finally pull the trigger and get Oklahoma out of the Big 12.

Well, somebody must have been paying attention to the clamor from Sooner Nation, because on Thursday, the Big 12 reversed course and by a 7-3 margin voted to approve an amended version of the walk-on rule that clears the path for Mayfield to gain another year of eligibility and be able to play in 2017.

It would be fascinating to know what back room conversations took place after Wednesday’s vote. But it is evident that some serious arm twisting was going on in the Big 12’s corridors of power, so much so that another vote happened very quickly.The fact that the Big 12 was faced with the potential PR disaster of seeing one of its marquee players starting at quarterback for a school outside the conference in 2017 must have swayed some voters.

Regardless of the backroom machinations, it is a relief to see that the Big 12 was able to arrive at the right decision. And, if Mayfield chooses to stay the OU faithful will get to enjoy seeing Shake n’ Bake do his thing in 2017.

It’s definitely a good day to be a Sooner fan!