Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker is getting comfortable in his new setting after transferring from North Texas following his head coach, Eric Morris. After a rough start to his Cowboy career, losing to rival Tulsa in a shocking defeat, the Oklahoma State quarterback has gotten better with each game since then, not losing another game so far and picking up a big-time upset over ranked Oregon.
Drew Mestemaker Is Making His Case As the 2027 NFL Draft’s QB1
The strong three-game stretch has sparked the interest of NFL Draft analysts. Mestemaker did have some buzz coming into the year in draft circles, but that buzz is growing louder and louder.
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Highly regarded NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid of ESPN said on X:
“Two years ago, Drew Mestemaker was QB6 on the depth chart at North Texas entering training camp. My top-ranked 2027 QB through the first quarter of the season. I’m really, really excited about the developmental arc of this player the rest of the season.”
Two years ago, Drew Mestemaker was QB6 on the depth chart at North Texas entering training camp.
My top ranked 2027 QB through the first quarter of the season. I’m really, really excited about the developmental arc of this player the rest of the season. https://t.co/zdXUufo1PS
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 1, 2026
Reid also went on to say in the video:
“I’m really excited about Drew Mestemaker, man, he has a very one-of-a-kind story. Somebody that was a safety and a punter in high school, and then he was the sixth quarterback on the depth chart when he got to North Texas. So, he was an afterthought.”
What a story is right. Going from an under-recruited player whose name was barely known outside of North Texas to now having NFL teams highly interested in what he could become in just a few short years is pretty incredible.
It shows the work ethic Mestemaker has as a player and how quickly he has developed. It also shows how much untapped potential he could still have, considering his starting experience is relatively limited.
He’s shown this by leading the Oklahoma State team to a PFN CFB Team Offensive Grade of 80.6, up significantly from their 2025 grade of 69.2.
Mestemaker has the physical tools you want to see at the position. Standing around 6-foot-3 and weighing 215-220 pounds, he has room to continue growing into his frame. Combine that size with his arm talent and athleticism, and it’s a combination that has started to warrant first-round hype and potentially even top-10 pick discussions.
In four games this season, Mestemaker has thrown for 1,271 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 67.4% of his passes. It’s a good stat line for the young gunslinger.
The five interceptions are slightly high, but that can be expected at this point in his career. He’s only 20 years old and is still adjusting to a major jump in competition after moving from the Group of Five to the Big 12.
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There is still plenty of season left for Mestemaker to either nitpick his game and improve or continue ascending up draft boards.
So far, though, the return has been extremely promising. What started as a zero-star recruit trying to make a name for himself could turn into one of the better stories in college football, with Mestemaker potentially going from an unknown prospect to a possible No. 1 overall pick when it’s all said and done.
