North Texas quarterback switch Drew Mestemaker has dedicated to Oklahoma State, a supply tells CBS Sports activities’ Chris Hummer, giving the Cowboys a confirmed and extremely coveted passer as he follows new coach Eric Morris to Stillwater from Denton.
Mestemaker arrives at Oklahoma State after probably the most productive quarterback seasons within the nation. In his first full 12 months as a starter, he led the FBS in passing yards (4,379) and passing touchdowns (34), anchoring a North Texas offense that ranked among the many nation’s finest in each yardage (512.4 yards per recreation) and scoring (45.1 factors per recreation).
That breakout marketing campaign shortly elevated Mestemaker’s profile within the switch portal. He at present ranks because the No. 3 total switch of this cycle and the No. 3 quarterback, in response to 247Sports. With three years of eligibility remaining, he provides Oklahoma State each rapid manufacturing and long-term upside on the place.
Oklahoma State represents a pure vacation spot, as Morris was Mestemaker’s coach at North Texas and performed a central function in his improvement. The established relationship ought to ease the transition because the Cowboys implement a brand new offensive system. Mestemaker will even reunite with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sean Brophy, who beforehand coached him at North Texas as nicely.
Mestemaker entered the switch portal shortly after closing the season with a win within the New Mexico Bowl, a becoming ending to a 12 months that solidified his rise from unknown walk-on to nationwide standout. He helped information North Texas via a dominant season that included its first double-digit win marketing campaign (12) in program historical past and a visit to the American Convention Championship Recreation.
His path so far has been something however standard. Mestemaker didn’t begin at quarterback throughout his preps profession at Vandegrift Excessive Faculty in Austin, Texas, as an alternative taking part in defensive again. He joined North Texas as an unheralded walk-on in 2024 and spent a lot of his first 12 months creating behind the scenes.
His first alternative got here within the postseason, when he earned his first profession begin within the First Responder Bowl after a roster change on the place. Regardless of the loss, his near-450 yards of whole offense and three touchdowns instantly modified the notion of his potential.
That momentum carried into the next season. Mestemaker opened the 12 months with an environment friendly and explosive efficiency and by no means relinquished management of the offense.
For Oklahoma State, the timing of the dedication is critical. The Cowboys’ quarterback room underwent heavy turnover following the season, with Zane Flores and Hauss Hejney each getting into the switch portal. Mestemaker steps into that void with expertise in a system tied intently to Morris’ offensive philosophy. Oklahoma State had the third-worst scoring offense (14.2 factors per recreation) within the FBS this season — a dramatic drop from the high-powered assaults these in Stillwater have been accustomed to below Mike Gundy, who was fired three video games into the season.
Mestemaker’s transfer might be just the start of a pipeline from North Texas to Oklahoma State, with the Cowboys within the combine for Imply Inexperienced operating again Caleb Hawkins — the No. 2 operating again within the switch portal — and different key playmakers from this system.
