Oklahoma’s “Best QB” title is up for grabs. Drew Mestemaker’s pinpoint precision vs. John Mateer’s dual-threat explosiveness. Who is truly the best quarterback in the state?
Which Quarterback Would You Rather Have?
The best quarterback in the state of Oklahoma debate has recently had some takers.
With Drew Mestemaker now leading the Oklahoma State Cowboys under new head coach Eric Morris and John Mateer returning for his final season with the OU Sooners, Cowboy and Sooner fans are asking the same question: Who is truly the best QB in the state heading into the 2026 college football season?
A recent interview from an Oklahoma State wide receiver who has played with both quarterbacks make a compelling case for Mestemaker, though the dual threat ability of Mateer keeps the conversation alive.
Oklahoma State wide receiver Chris Barnes, who transferred to the Cowboys and previously played alongside both quarterbacks (including Mateer at Washington State), made his stance crystal clear in a recent interview.
“What do you think about Drew?”, asked a reporter from News 9.
“Drew? I like it. I like Drew. He’s probably the best quarterback I’ve played with so far, for sure. I’ve played with John Mateer, played with Robbie Adams…but I feel like as me actually playing, I feel like Drew would be the best quarterback that I’ve played with,” Barnes said.
When asked what stands out, Barnes highlighted Mestemaker’s football IQ: “It feels like he makes the right checks. He knows we’d be on the same page and stuff like that. In my head, I’d be like, dang, I wish I could check. The next thing you know, he’d check it to something like I would want. It’s just a little stuff like that, like him knowing the field, knowing the game.” This endorsement carries weight as Barnes has seen both QBs up close in game action.
Pistols Firing Blog’s recent breakdown, “Making the Case: Drew Mestemaker Is the Best QB in the State,” dives deep into the numbers from the 2025 season.
Mestemaker, then at North Texas, posted gaudy stats: 339 passing yards per game, 9.5 yards per attempt, 68.9% completion rate, and just 0.6 interceptions per game.
Mateer, in the tougher SEC with OU, averaged 240 passing yards, 7.3 YPA, and 62.2% completion with 0.9 INTs per game.
Even adjusting for schedule strength and projecting regression, Mestemaker’s efficiency in deep balls (38.8% completion on 20+ yard passes with a higher Big Time Throw rate), mid-range accuracy, and low turnover-worthy plays still edges out Mateer’s 2024-25 body of work.
Mateer’s clear advantage? His legs. Mateer rushed for more yards and touchdowns, adding a true dual-threat dimension that Mestemaker (211 rushing yards, 4.7 YPC in 2025) doesn’t match at the same level.
Pros and Cons
Drew Mestemaker (OSU Cowboys)
Pros: Elite processor and pocket passer with exceptional anticipation. Eric Morris has repeatedly praised his football IQ, calling him “like a coach on the field” whose “superpower is anticipation and how fast he processes information on the field.” He led the FBS in passing yards (4,379) in 2025 and thrives in Morris’ up-tempo, Air Raid-influenced system. Low turnovers and chemistry with new weapons like Barnes give him an edge in precision passing.
Cons: Less proven as a runner and facing his first full season in the Big 12 against elite defenses. Mechanical consistency under pressure will be tested.
Projected 2026 Stats: Experts like ESPN’s Bill Connelly rank him as a top-7 quarterback nationally entering the year. In Oklahoma State’s projected high-octane offense, look for 3,800–4,200 passing yards, 30+ touchdowns, and a completion percentage north of 67% if the offensive line holds.
John Mateer (OU Sooners)
Pros: Dynamic dual-threat athlete with proven toughness and leadership. Brett Venables has lauded him repeatedly, saying, “His best football was as good as there is in college football” and urging him to “Be who you are” while highlighting his “great humility” and ability to make plays with his legs when things break down. Mateer’s experience in Power conference play and late-season improvements in 2025 show growth potential.
Cons: Passing efficiency dipped in the SEC (lower YPA and completion rate than Mestemaker), with questions about consistency and health after dealing with injuries. Higher turnover-worthy plays in some metrics.
Projected 2026 Stats: OU expects a more refined, explosive version of Mateer in Year 2 with Ben Arbuckle’s offense. Realistic projections include 3,200–3,600 passing yards, 25–30 total touchdowns, plus 500–700 rushing yards if he stays healthy — enough to keep OU in the SEC title hunt.
Other analyses echo the Pistols Firing breakdown, noting Mestemaker’s higher pre-season rankings (ESPN/CBS) while acknowledging Mateer’s mobility gives OU a different offensive identity. Barnes’ on-field perspective tips the scales for many toward Mestemaker’s intangibles and efficiency.
Ultimately, 2026 will decide the argument on the field. Mestemaker’s precision and system fit could make him the most productive passer in the state, potentially vaulting Oklahoma State back into contention. Mateer’s dual-threat ability and championship pedigree give OU its best chance at SEC success.
For now, the data and info from someone who has caught passes from both, Chris Barnes, gives Drew Mestemaker the early nod as Oklahoma’s top quarterback. Though this debate will be settled during the season, not on paper.