Big 12 Coaches Divided on New Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker
Drew Mestemaker may have been the best QB in the country last year, but he'll be facing a major step up in competition in 2026.
The Oklahoma State football program recently found itself at the center of a dialogue between its coaches regarding the future of their quarterback prospect, Drew Mestemaker. When Eric Morris took over as head coach of the Cowboys, he had already identified Mestemaker as his quarterback of choice. Mestemaker, a 20-year-old player hailing from North Texas, displayed exceptional skills during his breakout season last year, tallying an impressive 4,379 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He topped the nation in passing yards and placed third in touchdowns.
However, a potential obstacle for Mestemaker's transition to the Big 12 conference looms ahead. A rival coach expressed concern over the increased level of competition Mestemaker will face in the new league, noting that the defensive standards have been heightened since his time at North Texas. Despite this apprehension, another Big 12 coach is confident that Mestemaker will seamlessly adapt to his new environment.
He highlighted Mestemaker's accuracy, athleticism, and the misconception that he may not possess the necessary skills for the NFL due to his unassuming appearance, arguing that the young quarterback is far more athletic than others give him credit for.
The narrative gets even more favorable for Mestemaker, as he inherits a team that did not perform well under his predecessor. Zane Flores, who started last season, threw for only 1,490 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. This stark contrast suggests that the coaching staff at Oklahoma State has a strong foundation to build upon, making the addition of Mestemaker a highly promising prospect for the future of the program.
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