Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has finished in the Top 4 of Heisman voting in each of the last two seasons, but it doesn't look like that is reflected over in Sporting News' newest quarterback rankings.
Sporting News released their rankings for 2017 on Saturday, and there was an intriguing decision in the top five. Mayfield made it into the top five, but he was in fourth behind Louisville's Lamar Jackson, USC's Sam Darnold, and most surprisingly, Alabama's Jalen Hurts.
Following Mayfield in the rankings and rounding out the Top 5 is Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Mayfield has put up phenomenal numbers in each of the past two seasons, with his 2016 campaign being particularly outstanding. Mayfield had 3,700 passing yards and 36 touchdowns against seven picks on 68.1-percent completion last year, where he led Oklahoma to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Sugar Bowl.
Hurts had a great year for a freshman in 2016, and he should follow the natural progression and improve in 2017. However, putting him over Mayfield — and for that matter, Barrett and Washington's Jake Browning — already? That's a bold prediction which might not grade out well at the end of the season.
The Sporting News' full rankings can be viewed here.
