STILLWATER, Okla. — Drew Mestemaker, the quarterback who shattered passing records at North Texas this season, has committed to Oklahoma State, marking a pivotal early win for new coach Eric Morris as he rebuilds the struggling program.
Mestemaker, who led the nation in passing yards with 4,379 and threw 34 touchdowns, announced his decision to ESPN on Saturday. The 22-year-old transfer follows Morris, his former head coach at North Texas, who was hired by Oklahoma State last month on a five-year deal to replace Mike Gundy, the school's all-time winningest coach fired in September after a dismal 1-11 season.
In his breakout year as North Texas' starter — his first since freshman year of high school — Mestemaker guided the Mean Green to a 12-2 record, a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game and a bowl victory over San Diego State. His rapid ascent from obscurity has already drawn NFL scouts' attention heading into his third college season.
"I think just the relationships that I've built there with Coach Morris, Coach Brophy and that whole staff, offense and defense," Mestemaker told ESPN. "I think Coach Morris is the best playcaller in the nation. The insight he has, and the way he sees offense, and the way he makes me at quarterback comfortable in everything we are running."
Mestemaker's commitment comes amid a massive roster shakeup at Oklahoma State, where 59 scholarship players are currently in the transfer portal. The Cowboys have endured back-to-back winless seasons in the Big 12 Conference, finishing 0-9 in league play each year and cementing their reputation as one of the weakest power-conference programs in recent memory.
Morris, who served as North Texas' head coach before taking the offensive coordinator role at Oklahoma State, has a track record of developing elite quarterbacks. He previously tutored talents like Cam Ward at Incarnate Word, Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech and John Mateer at Washington State, according to reports from his coaching stints.
The quarterback's decision to join Morris in Stillwater underscores a deep personal and professional bond forged during Mestemaker's unconventional path to stardom. Despite never starting a varsity high school game at quarterback, Mestemaker earned his first college start in North Texas' bowl game after the 2024 season, a risk Morris was willing to take.
"To have a coach really be the first person to take a chance on me and trust me, I feel like I owe him that back in some sort," Mestemaker said. "I think he's the best at his job in the world, and I 100% believe in him, too. That trust that what we've built is bigger than just on the football field."
Mestemaker considered offers from three to five other schools but did not visit any campuses before committing. He plans to tour Oklahoma State starting Saturday, marking his first time on the Stillwater grounds. His loyalty to Morris outweighed interest from powerhouse programs, as the quarterback emphasized the coach's vision for success.
"I feel like sets me up for success in everything that he calls," Mestemaker added about Morris' offensive schemes. He also credited former North Texas offensive coordinator Sean Brophy, now with the Cowboys, as a key influence in his transfer.
Oklahoma State's hiring of Morris represents a bold shift for a program mired in mediocrity. Gundy, who coached the Cowboys for 18 seasons and amassed 161 wins, was let go after the team started 3-1 but collapsed to finish 1-11 overall and 0-9 in the Big 12. The firing, announced on September 28, ended an era but opened the door for fresh leadership amid fan frustration and recruiting woes.
Morris inherits a squad desperate for a turnaround. The Cowboys' offensive struggles this season were emblematic of broader issues, with the team averaging just 18.2 points per game and failing to score more than 20 in any conference matchup. Defensively, they allowed 35.4 points per contest, ranking near the bottom nationally.
Mestemaker's arrival could provide an immediate spark. His dual-threat ability — combining pinpoint accuracy with mobility — powered North Texas' high-octane attack, which averaged 42.6 points per game en route to their 12 wins. At Oklahoma State, he joins a quarterback room that includes holdovers like Zane Flores but lacks a proven starter after Alan Bowman's departure to the portal.
"To be the starting point of it all, and the one that's locked in first," Mestemaker said of his role in the rebuild. "I hope getting that out there will help more name [players] realize how special this staff really is. If I didn't 100% trust these guys with my career, I'd take longer to see what's out there and test out the waters."
The transfer portal frenzy at Oklahoma State has seen key departures, including wide receivers like Ollie Gordon II, the 2023 Doak Walker Award winner who entered the NFL Draft, and several linemen. Morris has already secured commitments from a handful of transfers, but Mestemaker's pledge is seen as a marquee addition that could sway other recruits.
Looking ahead, Mestemaker expressed optimism about the Cowboys' potential despite the challenges. "I know Coach Morris knows there's work to do," he said. "But he's never shied from that. We knew last year, there was work to do. People thought we'd be struggling to make a bowl game again. I know this staff on offense and defense never shied away from a challenge."
As the winter transfer window closes on December 28, Oklahoma State faces pressure to fill roster gaps before spring practice in March. Mestemaker's commitment, reported first by ESPN's Pete Thamel, signals the beginning of what Morris hopes will be a rapid resurgence, transforming the Cowboys from Big 12 doormat to contender.
For Mestemaker, the move closes a chapter at North Texas, where he exploded onto the scene after years on the bench. His story — from high school backup to national passing leader — adds intrigue to Oklahoma State's revival efforts, with fans already buzzing about the possibilities under Morris' guidance.