NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Baker Mayfield will practice this spring as Oklahoma assesses the fallout from the star quarterback’s arrest in Arkansas last month, coach Bob Stoops said Monday.
Speaking at a news conference the day before the Sooners were scheduled to begin spring practice, Stoops said any internal discipline for Mayfield won’t be determined until the situation is “complete, every part of it.”
Police in Fayetteville arrested the 2016 Heisman Trophy finalist in the early hours of Feb. 25. They said Mayfield first walked, than tried to run away before being tackled by an officer following an altercation. Mayfield was charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication and resisting arrest.
“Very disappointed that Baker put himself in that situation,” Stoops said in his first public comments about Mayfield’s arrest. “As you know, it’s still ongoing to we won’t determine anything until it’s been complete. He’ll go out and practice tomorrow.”
Stoops said Mayfield is “very hurt that he put himself in that position as well. I’m sure it’s hurt him. It’s embarrassed him. But he can overcome it and I’m sure he will as he moves forward.”
Mayfield, a senior known for his confident demeanor and outgoing personality, arrived at Oklahoma before the 2014 season as a walk-on after one season at Texas Tech. He assumed the starting job for the Sooners in 2015 and has led them to two Big 12 Conference titles.
In 2015, he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff and was third last year. As a junior, he set the FBS record for passing efficiency and earned Sugar Bowl most valuable player honors after passing for 296 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Auburn that capped an 11-2 season.
Stoops said Mayfield would face internal discipline “like we always do” but declined to discuss what his initial reaction was upon learning of Mayfield’s arrest.
Two days after his arrest, Mayfield issued a lengthy public apology “for conducting myself in a manner that does not correctly represent the way the University of Oklahoma should be represented. I made the biggest mistake of my life by putting myself in that situation.”
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