Is Baker Mayfield the Greatest College QB Since 2000?
Is it out of this world to consider former Oklahoma standout Baker Mayfield the greatest collegiate quarterback since 2000? Well, ESPN writer Bill Connelly, who announced his list of the top-10 quarterbacks since 2000 on Monday, believes Mayfield towers over all other quarterbacks in the 21st century.
Top 10 College Football QBs since 2000 per @ESPN
— On3 (@On3sports) May 22, 2023
Do you agree? https://t.co/0814EhIG20 pic.twitter.com/UgOyJku9kA
Winning the Heisman and earning AP Player of the Year honors is an impressive feat that no college football fan can discredit. However, there are other quarterbacks who have exceeded Mayfield’s accomplishments.
Baker Mayfield Not Even the Best at Oklahoma?
Mayfield is remembered as a gunslinger and a cocky quarterback, with his taunts directed toward the Kansas Jayhawks in 2017 immediately coming to mind. Though Mayfield recorded over 4,600 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning 2017 campaign, two Sooner quarterbacks — also Heisman winners — might be better: Kyler Murray and Sam Bradford.
Murray’s playmaking was incredible and kept many drives alive for the Sooners. Although Murray had nearly 300 fewer passing yards and recorded one less touchdown than Mayfield, his evasive running ability was quite the show. Murray compiled 5,362 total scrimmage yards and 54 total touchdowns when he won the award in 2018.
Mayfield and Bradford had similar play styles as they both showed precision accuracy. Bradford finished his Heisman campaign with more yards (4,720) and touchdowns (50) than Mayfield in his respective Heisman season.
The case for Joe Burrow
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow had quite the year in 2019. Burrow won the Heisman, led his team to an undefeated record and won the national championship, with the Tigers going down as one of the best teams college football has ever witnessed.
Burrow surpassed the 5,000-yard mark through the air and broke the single-season touchdown record at the time with 60. Burrow’s 2019 campaign will go down as one of the best stories in college football history.
The case for Caleb Williams
USC’s Caleb Williams was a human highlight reel in 2022. On almost every play, fans were amazed at what Williams and head coach Lincoln Riley would cook up. Williams racked up over 4,500 scrimmage yards and over 50 touchdowns through the air on the ground.
Williams’ arsenal of side arms throws, shovel throws and maneuverability in the pocket made fans question whether the young star was created in a lab. There is a reason why he is the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft next season.
Ultimately, Mayfield is still an all-time great college quarterback who ranks in the top 10-15 of all time. Still, he will never reach No. 1 as other quarterbacks possess more impressive and efficient skill traits that have led to their respective team’s success.
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