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Baker Mayfield: Unbelievable feeling to be chosen No. 1 overall by Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield: Unbelievable feeling to be chosen No. 1 overall by Cleveland Browns
Credit: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

CLEVELAND -- As a walk-on at two different colleges, there was a time when quarterback Baker Mayfield could have only dreamed of becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

But that dream became a reality when the Cleveland Browns selected the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Oklahoma with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Thursday night.

“First of all, an unbelievable feeling, a surreal feeling; something that I only could have dreamed of and actually becoming a reality is amazing,” Mayfield said in a conference call with the Cleveland media Thursday night.

With Mayfield, the competitive spirit is what teams would like out of their quarterback, but he has made questionable off-the-field decisions that resulted in an arrest, as well as vulgar actions toward opposing fans.

Despite the off-field concerns, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Mayfield put together a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign where he completed 285 of his 404 throws (70.5 percent) for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns against six interceptions to cap off a four-year career that started at Texas Tech University.

“It means the world to me,” Mayfield said of being the No. 1 pick despite his less-than-ideal stature. “It shows that I have been able to show everybody or at least them that I have learned from my mistakes, I have grown up and I can be honest about those mistakes.

“I am just excited that I get to do that with them. It is a good relationship to have when you are honest. On top of it, it shows that it is not about your size. It is about winning. It is a mentality and leadership qualities.”

Credit: Glenn Andrews
Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) prepares to hand off to a running back during the 2018 Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

During his three years at Oklahoma and one season with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Mayfield completed 1,026 of his 1,497 attempts (68.5 percent) for 14,607 yards and 131 touchdowns against only 30 interceptions.

“It is a fresh start for me,” Mayfield said. “It is kind of the same thing, I have not done anything yet. It is a blank slate. Right now, I am not going to get complacent. I am getting a fresh start in Cleveland, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”

Credit: Mark D. Smith
Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the Sooners' Pro Day in Norman, Oklahoma.

Mayfield joins a Browns organization with a history of struggles at quarterback, especially since returning to the National Football League ahead of the 1999 season.

The Browns have started 28 different quarterbacks in the previous 19 years since their return, and after overhauling the position room in the offseason, they will start at least their 29th signal-caller. That is something Mayfield hopes to change.

“I am hoping that I can help be the start of something new for Cleveland, we can turn it around,” Mayfield said.

“It is a mentality. You come in and think about the past so that you can focus on the present and work for the future. For Cleveland right now, we are making the right moves. Tyrod (Taylor) and I, we are going to put an end to that list of the QB names on the back of the jersey.”

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