Former Austin High School Standout Is No. 1 Pick In NFL Draft

AUSTIN, TX — Former Lake Travis High School athletic standout Baker Mayfield became the first player selected in the NFL draft Thursday night — the first walk-on to achieve the distinction in the modern football era.

Mayfield, recipient of the Heisman Trophy for his later play for the Oklahoma Sooners, was picked by the Cleveland Browns.

Sports pundits have already posited Austin as a prime spot for grooming NFL quarterbacks. Nick Foles, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title this year, formerly played at Westlake High School. Moreover, former Westlake quarterback Drew Brees led New Orleans to the 2009 NFL title and was named the Super Bowl MVP.

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Mayfield's pick also marks the second consecutive year Cleveland has drafted a Texan as the first round's top pick. The team picked Baylor receiver Corey Coleman two years ago and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in 2004.

The night before the draft, Mayfield was reflective as he posted a quote from gridiron great Brett Favre:

"There are those people who are in your corner no matter what, you can’t do any wrong, even when you do wrong. And then there are those people that no matter what you do they’re going to dislike you and that’s not going to change.”

Tonight, Mayfield is able to gain solace in knowing that, at minimum, the Cleveland Browns like him. They really, really like him.

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