Say this for the Big 12: they very quickly recognized as asinine decision and, to their credit, reversed course.
In a 5-5 vote Wednesday, the Big 12 shot down a rule proposed by Oklahoma that would’ve permitted walk-ons to transfer within the conference without restrictions. The proposed rule, which failed due to the lack of a clear majority vote as well as disdain for both common sense and fairness, had been dubbed the “Baker Mayfield rule” in honor of the the OU quarterback who transferred from Texas Tech as a walk-on.
Earlier today it was reported that the Big 12 was going to reconsider that rule; in its reconsideration, the conference reversed course and, by a 7-3 vote, approved the measure.
The new measure will allow a walk-on at one Big 12 school to transfer within the conference and not face restrictions if his first school does not offer him a scholarship. If that school does offer a scholarship, the walk-on can still transfer within the conference but must sit out a season.
As an added bonus for both Mayfield and the Sooners, the rule will retroactively apply to the quarterback, which means, if he so chooses, he would have another season of eligibility to use during the 2017 season. Mayfield was not offered a scholarship upon leaving Tech, thus his grandfathering in under this new edict.
Mayfield took note of the reversal on Twitter, and seemingly indicated he’ll use that extra year.And y’all thought you were getting rid of me....
— Baker Mayfield (@baker_mayfield6) June 2, 2016
