Oklahoma State secures North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker in transfer portal

Oklahoma State has successfully recruited North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker to join the program in the transfer portal, capitalising on the recent relocation of the Mustangs entire offensive staff. Following the hiring of head coach Eric Morris, most of North Texas offensive personnel moved to Stillwater, providing the Cowboys with an inside track to secure the services of the FBS leading passer from the previous season.

Mestemaker officially committed to the Cowboys on 3 January 2026, less than 24 hours after the transfer portal opened. His recruitment was bolstered by the fact that the staff who originally developed him, transforming him from a walk-on to an All-American candidate, had relocated to Oklahoma State with Morris. This continuity offered a distinct advantage over other suitors who lacked the same developmental history with the quarterback.

The recruitment strategy employed by Oklahoma State was designed to create immediate momentum and leverage peer influence. On 3 January, Mestemaker visited Stillwater alongside 13 other North Texas players, including star running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young. This group visit was orchestrated to ensure that the commitment of the quarterback would be matched by a significant portion of the offensive roster, creating a wave of momentum early in the transfer cycle.

While Mestemaker adopted a patient approach in the transfer portal, delaying his decision until after North Texas Dec 27 bowl game, the competitive landscape remained active. Multiple Power Four programs, including UCF, LSU, Indiana, and Oregon, showed interest in Mestemaker throughout the 2025 season. Oregon was a notable competitor early in the cycle but had to balance their interest with Dante Moores impending NFL Draft decision, allowing Oklahoma State to manoeuvre around the outside interest effectively.

The final roster spot allocation and the specific timeline for Mestemakers official enrollment and practice participation are not yet detailed in the available sources. Furthermore, the long-term impact of the group visit strategy on the retention of the other 13 transferred players remains to be seen, though they are currently listed as joining him in Stillwater.

Mestemaker changed his representation in December, signing with Excel Sports Management, a large NFL agency, before finalising his decision. The Cowboys have now secured their building block for 2026, ensuring that the quarterback can continue on his established developmental path under the guidance of the staff that originally built his profile.