Heisman trophy winner Baker Mayfield has heard the Johnny Manziel comparisons but he's not buying it. Ahead of the NFL scouting combine next week, Mayfield spoke about the Manziel chatter and how he is "completely different" from the former Cleveland Browns QB who is no longer in the league.
According to ESPN, Mayfield says he and Johnny Football are "just not the same mentally" and are "wired differently."
"We're two completely different people," Mayfield said. "I've always been a team-oriented guy. Not saying that Johnny wasn't, but I've quickly earned the respect of my teammates because of how I worked.
"I wasn't given the natural talent that Johnny had. Because he's a talent. And there's a reason he got taken in the first round, amazing player. We're just not the same mentally. Just wired differently."
Despite some of Mayfield's on-field antics and an arrest in February of 2017, which only led to more Manziel comparisons, he says he won't bring any of that baggage with him to the NFL.
"I didn't want to be portrayed as the villain or somebody like that," Mayfield said. "I do good things within my community. I'm not trying to say those cover up any mistakes that I've made. But there's always a learning curve when you're growing up."
Last season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Mayfield, 22, broke his own single-season passing efficiency rating while throwing for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns. He is expected to be a top-pick in the NFL Draft in April.