This 12 months’s class of NFL prospects shall be eagerly awaiting an important cellphone name of their life on Thursday night time.
After a busy free company interval, consideration will flip to the newest batch of gamers to emerge from the faculty recreation because the 2025 draft begins.
NFL groups have been scouting the highest prospects for months, with followers and media speculating over who shall be taken off the board early.
Cam Ward is projected to go first total, whereas Travis Hunter has been tipped to be probably the most proficient draft choose since Bo Jackson.
Abdul Carter, Shedeur Sanders and Will Campbell are additionally anticipated to go early.
For these concerned within the draft, it actually generally is a nerve-wracking ready recreation — and that’s one thing Baker Mayfield is aware of all too properly.
Again in 2018, he was in the identical place, holding out for that life-changing name.
The previous Oklahoma quarterback was anticipated to be the primary total choose, after a stellar faculty profession that noticed him win the Heisman Trophy with the Sooners.
On draft night time, Mayfield was at his home surrounded by dozens of members of the family, anxiously awaiting a name from the Cleveland Browns, the workforce in possession of that first choose.
Then his cellphone rang.
However to Mayfield’s huge disappointment, the decision got here from a good friend, Zack, standing shut by, in what was undoubtedly one of many meanest sports activities pranks ever.
The second was captured by the quarterback’s Fb sequence, Behind Baker, and shared on-line.
7
7
7
“Why would you try this?” Mayfield asks, instantly realizing he is been prank referred to as by somebody within the room.
“You are such a jacka**.”
Fortunately for Mayfield, all was forgiven a couple of minutes later.
The Browns referred to as quickly after and advised the Oklahoma prospect that he was going to be drafted first total, so he really acquired the worst cellphone name of his life adopted by one of the best.
Mayfield went on to signal a four-year rookie contract with Cleveland on July 24, 2018, securing a deal value $32.68million in assured wage.
He made his debut in Week 3 that season off the bench, and rallied the Browns to their first victory in 635 days.
7
The QB went on to complete second within the NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months voting, whereas additionally breaking the league’s rookie file with 27 touchdowns.
His file was later damaged in 2020 by Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who completed with 31 landing passes.
Whereas he began properly in Cleveland, Mayfield’s tenure total was marred by inconsistency, drama and a shoulder harm that plagued him all through the 2021 season.
Over his 4 years with the Browns, he was mentioned to have grown more and more annoyed with a franchise that had made him the fourth quarterback in NFL historical past to play for 4 totally different head coaches in his first three seasons.
Two sides of similar coin’ – Bucs star Zyon McCollum reveals why Baker Mayfield reminds him of GOAT Tom Brady
Even after he led the workforce to their first playoff victory in 26 years throughout the 2020 season, Cleveland declined to interact Mayfield’s camp a couple of potential contract extension as soon as he grew to become eligible for one, a sign to the star that he may not be within the workforce’s long-term plans.
In July 2022, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers on the heels of Cleveland’s blockbuster take care of the Houston Texans that landed Deshaun Watson.
The previous No. 1 choose had a forgettable spell in Carolina, requesting his launch earlier than the top of the 2022 season, earlier than being claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.
He had a late-season, five-game stint in LA, which he later credited for rejuvenating his profession after combating the Panthers.
7
7
Mayfield then went on to signal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the place he has been capable of thrive during the last two years.
Arriving because the successor at beginning quarterback to retired legend Tom Brady, Mayfield first signed a one-year, $4m deal.
He led the Bucs to the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs, and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension, value as much as $100m, with $50m assured.
Mayfield’s play continued to enhance in 2024, with a 10-7 end that secured one other journey to the postseason and proved he’s the right Brady alternative.
The quarterback has actually had a wild experience since that prank name he obtained on draft night time.