Could Mestemaker be the Cowboys next great quarterback? Morris and the new imported UNT coaching will attempt to bring him to Stillwater.
STILLWATER, Okla. —
As the transfer portal has become as pivotal as recruiting high school talent, one name is generating significant buzz heading into the 2026 offseason: Drew Mestemaker. The former North Texas quarterback, who exploded onto the scene in 2025, has entered the transfer portal, sparking speculation about his next destination.
With deep ties to Oklahoma State’s new coaching staff, Mestemaker could be the missing piece to revitalize a Cowboys program coming off a dismal 1-11 season in 2025. As a potential day-one starter, his arrival in Stillwater could signal a swift turnaround for a team desperate for offensive saving.
Mestemaker’s journey at North Texas was nothing short of remarkable. A redshirt freshman and former walk-on from Austin Vandegrift High School, he stepped into the starting role in 2025 and immediately set the FBS ablaze.
He led the nation in passing yards with an astounding 4,379, completing 319 of 463 attempts (68.9%) for 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
His performance propelled North Texas to a 10-1 regular-season record, earning them a No. 23 ranking and the title of the nation’s highest-scoring offense under head coach Eric Morris. Mestemaker’s accolades piled up; he was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, earned First-Team All-Conference honors, and became the first North Texas player to win the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the top walk-on in college football.
He was also a finalist for the Manning Award and earned Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week after shattering school and conference records with 608 passing yards in a single game against Charlotte.
These feats transformed him from an unheralded backup, who hadn’t started a game since his freshman year of high school, into one of the most sought after transfers, with an NIL valuation reportedly around $2.3 million.
The allure of Oklahoma State for Mestemaker is rooted in familiarity. Eric Morris, who coached him at North Texas, was hired as Oklahoma State’s head coach in November 2025 following the dismissal of longtime leader Mike Gundy after two underwhelming seasons. Morris, known for his Air Raid-style offense that maximizes quarterback production, brought along key staff members, including Sean Brophy, who served as North Texas’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Brophy, at just 29 years old, was instrumental in developing Mestemaker and previous North Texas signal-callers, helping the program rank in the top 10 nationally for passing in recent years. This continuity could make the transition seamless for Mestemaker, who thrived in Morris’s system. As one source noted, Mestemaker is “not a lock” to follow Morris, but the connections make Oklahoma State a frontrunner amid interest from programs like TCU.
Should Mestemaker commit to the Cowboys, he would almost certainly slot in as the day-one starter for the 2026 season.
Oklahoma State’s quarterback room in 2025 was a revolving door of inexperience and inconsistency. Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny shared starting duties early, with Sam Jackson V also seeing action, but the unit struggled mightily, contributing to the team’s 0-9 Big 12 record.
Under new leadership, the depth chart is undergoing a “makeover,” with Morris likely prioritizing a proven passer like Mestemaker over unproven underclassmen. At 6-4 and 211 pounds, Mestemaker brings prototypical size, arm strength, and accuracy that could immediately elevate the Cowboys offense.
Looking ahead to 2026, Oklahoma State fans could expect a dramatic shift if Mestemaker quarterbacks the Cowboys. Morris’s track record suggests a high-octane attack. At North Texas, his teams averaged over 40 points per game in 2025, blending explosive passes with a balanced run game.
With potential to add his portal entered teammates like running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young, Mestemaker could replicate his FBS-leading production in the Big 12. Imagine a Cowboys squad contending for bowl eligibility or even a conference title push, fueled by Mestemaker’s poise under pressure? He threw only four interceptions in his first 10 games of 2025 and has shown ability to extend plays, a la Patrick Mahomes. Speaking of Mahomes, defenses would face a nightmare matchup, as Morris’s scheme has produced stars like Patrick Mahomes and Cam Ward in the past.
Mestemaker has many more options than just Oklahoma State, but the synergy between player and coaches makes this a tantalizing fit. If it happens, 2026 could mark the dawn of a new era in Stillwater, where the Cowboys rise from the ashes of 2025 with Mestemaker leading the charge.