The University of Oklahoma will require QB Baker Mayfield to complete an alcohol education program and perform 35 hours of community service following his February arrest, the school announced Thursday.
Mayfield was arrested on Feb. 25 in Fayetteville, Ark., on charges of public intoxication, fleeing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Per the OU statement, Mayfield will work with law enforcement as part of his community service, and must be complete the school's disciplinary requirements before the fall semester begins.
"As I stated earlier, I could not be more disappointed in my actions and the embarrassment they caused for my university and team," Mayfield stated. "I am anxious to fulfill the responsibilities that have been set and am continuing to dedicate myself to the high standard that everyone rightfully expects from someone in my position."
Stated new OU coach Lincoln Riley: "Baker has expressed regret for his actions and backed up his apology by being a model leader in our program. He has learned from his mistake and will continue to grow from it. The coaching staff and team has every confidence in him going forward."
Mayfield issued an apology after his arrest, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him in April. A Heisman Trophy finalist last year, Mayfield is one of the top quarterbacks in college football and will be a fifth-year senior this fall. He passed for 3,965 yards and 40 TDs last year to lead the Sooners to a second consecutive Big 12 title.
As a draft prospect, Mayfield offers NFL scouts a mixed profile. While he combines dazzling production with an impressive ability to extend plays and throw on the run, he is smaller (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) than scouts prefer, and plays in the Air Raid offensive system that hasn't produced successful NFL quarterbacks. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks assessed Mayfield as a quarterback with B-plus arm talent who compares in some ways to the Buffalo Bills' Tyrod Taylor.
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