The Game Is Slowing Down for Drew Mestemaker at Exactly the Right Time

Drew Mestemaker already knew Eric Morris' offense.

Now he's beginning to command it.

There's a difference.

After Oklahoma State's first practice of fall camp, Morris offered perhaps his most encouraging assessment yet of the quarterback expected to lead the Cowboys into a new era.

Mestemaker isn't simply executing the offense anymore.

He's organizing it.

He's becoming more vocal.

He's getting teammates where they need to be.

And most importantly, Morris believes the game is beginning to slow down for him.

For a quarterback preparing to make the biggest jump of his career, that development couldn't come at a better time.

Mestemaker's familiarity with Morris' system has been one of Oklahoma State's biggest advantages throughout the offseason.

He knows the terminology.

He understands the reads.

He knows what Morris wants from his quarterback.

However, quarterbacks aren't judged solely by how well they understand a playbook.

Eventually, they have to command everyone else running it.

That's where Mestemaker appears to be taking another step.

Morris praised his quarterback for becoming more vocal and taking greater responsibility for getting everyone lined up and organized.

That's what you want from QB1.

The quarterback shouldn't just know where he's supposed to be.

He should know where everyone else is supposed to be, too.

For an Oklahoma State roster filled with players learning a new system, having that presence at quarterback could be invaluable.

Morris saying the game is beginning to "slow down" for Mestemaker may be the most important part of his evaluation.

It doesn't mean football is literally becoming slower.

It means Mestemaker is processing everything faster.

Instead of thinking through every responsibility, recognition begins becoming instinctive.

Instead of reacting late to what a defense shows him, he can begin anticipating what comes next.

Instead of simply running the play Morris calls, he can understand why it's being called and what answers are available when the defense responds.

That's often the difference between a quarterback who knows an offense and one who truly controls it.

Mestemaker has already shown he can produce in Morris' system.

Now he's developing an even greater command of it.

This is also where Oklahoma State fans need to keep expectations in perspective.

Mestemaker can know the offense like the back of his hand and still experience growing pains.

Both things can be true.

The competition he'll face at Oklahoma State will present new challenges.

Windows will close faster.

Pressure will arrive sooner.

Defensive looks will become more complicated.

Mistakes that might have gone unpunished before can suddenly become turnovers.

There will be an adjustment period.

That shouldn't be viewed as a failure.

It's part of the transition.

The more important question will be how quickly Mestemaker adjusts when those challenges arrive.

That's where his command of the offense could become such an important advantage.

Morris has also provided an interesting glimpse into the personality of his quarterback.

Away from the field, Mestemaker is lighthearted.

Easygoing.

Even a little goofy.

Once he steps between the lines though?

Morris sees a fierce competitor.

That's a pretty good combination for a quarterback.

You want someone who can keep teammates loose when pressure begins building.

You also want someone who absolutely hates losing when the ball is snapped.

Those characteristics don't contradict each other.

They complement each other.

There's a time to joke around.

There's a time to enjoy being around your teammates and there's a time when everything becomes serious.

Mestemaker appears to understand the difference.

Perhaps the next stage of Mestemaker's development isn't statistical at all.

It's leadership.

Being QB1 requires a different voice.

When a receiver isn't lined up correctly, say something.

When the offense needs to regroup, take control.

When younger players need direction, provide it.

When adversity arrives, don't disappear.

Mestemaker appears increasingly comfortable assuming those responsibilities.

That's especially important for Oklahoma State because so many players around him are experiencing Morris' offense for the first time.

Mestemaker isn't.

He can become an extension of the coaching staff on the field.

That makes everyone's transition easier.

That's also where the relationship between Morris and Mestemaker becomes so valuable.

They already know each other.

Morris understands how to coach him.

Mestemaker understands what his coach expects.

Now we're beginning to see what that familiarity can produce.

Morris can give his quarterback greater responsibility because the trust has already been established.

Mestemaker can become more vocal because he knows exactly how Morris wants the offense operated.

Their relationship isn't just a nice offseason storyline.

It could become a legitimate competitive advantage.