In the world of college football, not many stories spark the imagination like Drew Mestemaker’s. The new Oklahoma State quarterback is already under the microscope, with expectations swirling as he heads into what’s shaping up to be a crucial summer.
He lit it up at North Texas, and now he’s set to attend the Manning Passing Academy—a big deal, honestly. Mestemaker’s journey feels like one of those rare blends of grit, raw talent, and, let’s be real, being in the right place at the right time.
This summer trip? It’s got people talking about what Oklahoma State might pull off this season.
The Rise of Drew Mestemaker
This spring, Drew Mestemaker’s been kind of a magnet for Oklahoma State football fans. The redshirt sophomore transferred from North Texas, joining nearly 20 others under head coach Eric Morris.
Last season, Mestemaker led North Texas to a 12-2 record and an American Conference championship game. They even made a bowl appearance, which, for them, was a big step.
His stats were, frankly, wild.
Impressive Stats from Last Season
At North Texas, Mestemaker topped the NCAA FBS in several categories:
- Passing yards: 4,379
- Passing yards per game: 312.8
- Total offense: 4,468 yards
- Yards per pass attempt: 9.46
- Passing touchdowns: 32 (second in the country)
He snagged the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, became a freshman All-American, and was a Manning Award finalist. Not bad for someone who started off without much hype.
Transition to Oklahoma State
When Eric Morris took over in December, replacing Mike Gundy as head coach at Oklahoma State, Mestemaker and a bunch of other North Texas players made the move to Stillwater too.
That’s only turned up the heat on Mestemaker as he gets ready for the 2026 season.
The Manning Passing Academy Invitation
Earlier this week, USA Today dropped the news: Mestemaker’s been invited to the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Hosted by the Manning family—Archie, Peyton, Eli—it’s a huge annual gathering for top high school and college quarterbacks.
Getting the invite is a big nod to Mestemaker’s skills and the buzz around his first year at Oklahoma State. It’s not something that just happens to anyone.
Validation and Expectations
Mestemaker started out as a walk-on, so getting tapped for the Manning Passing Academy has to feel pretty validating. It’s a nod to the grind he’s put in, and maybe a little proof that he’s on the right track.
He’ll spend part of his summer in Louisiana, sharpening his game and getting ready to lead the Cowboys.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Now, as he preps for 2026, people are already whispering about him as a dark horse NFL Draft candidate—if he decides to leave early. The bar’s high, no doubt, but Mestemaker’s shown he’s got the drive and the chops to take it on.
Fans, analysts, scouts—they’ll all be watching to see how this summer and the season shake out for him. Who knows? Maybe this is just the start.
Conclusion
Drew Mestemaker started as a walk-on at North Texas. Now, he’s the starting quarterback at Oklahoma State.
That’s a wild journey. It says a lot about perseverance and maybe a bit of luck.
He just got an invite to the Manning Passing Academy. That’s a pretty big deal and honestly, it’s got folks buzzing about what he might do in 2026.
Oklahoma State fans are counting down the days until the season kicks off. There’s a lot of hope riding on Mestemaker—can he actually lead the Cowboys somewhere new?
For more details on Drew Mestemaker’s summer trip and what it means for Oklahoma State expectations, visit the original article on Yahoo Sports.
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