Oklahoma waiting on eligibility for Dorial Green-Beckham and Baker Mayfield
As Oklahoma prepares to open fall camp, Bob Stoops said his program is awaiting word from the NCAA on the eligibility of two players.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Dorial Green-Beckham both petitioned the NCAA to waive the mandatory yearlong waiting period after transferring from Texas Tech and Missouri respectively.
It’s not surprising Oklahoma would ask for waivers for both players, but getting one for Green-Beckham, who was kicked off Missouri’s team after a couple drug-related issues, probably isn’t going to happen.
Stoops didn’t share the grounds on which they made the request for Green-Beckham, who was one of the nation’s best receivers last season, but did say he and his staff did its due diligence before offering Green-Beckham a roster spot.
“I had a close relationship as did Coach Norvell, our receiver coach, from recruiting Dorial personally as well as with his family,” Stoops said. “And then through extensive conversations with the people at Missouri and our people, it was something that we felt the person that he is, the potential that he has as a young man and as an individual, that we felt the opportunity to give him a second chance at our place could serve him well and be great for his future.”
Mayfield might be a different story.
He walked on at Texas Tech and began the season as the starting quarterback before getting injured and ultimately replaced. Stoops made the argument that because Mayfield was paying his own way, he shouldn't be restricted by the normal transfer rules.
“I think it's one thing if you've invested a scholarship in an individual and he decides to leave, heck, they even half the time allow them to play immediately. But a guy that you haven't invested a scholarship in, I don't know why that would even be something — why it would be an issue.”
Having Mayfield eligible would solve the issue about who would backup starter Trevor Knight. Mayfield might even be able to push Knight, who was inconsistent and oft-injured a year ago before really solidifying the starting role in the bowl game against Alabama.
Stoops said Tuesday that former starter turned backup Blake Bell would be a fulltime tight end for the Sooners.
“Blake was recruited definitely as quarterback, but when you look at him now after three years, he is the pro type at tight end,” Stoops said. “He's got great hands, great size, 6-foot-6, he's almost 260. He can run, natural spacing as far as where to be in his route… So I think he's really going to impact us in a great way at the tight end position.”
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!Follow @YahooDrSaturday
