The transfer portal has really shaken up college football. Rosters look different every year, and the whole vibe of the sport keeps changing.
This offseason, Oklahoma State grabbed headlines by landing Drew Mestemaker—a former North Texas quarterback who led the FBS in passing yards last year. Mestemaker’s path is wild: he started out as a high school defensive back and punter, then somehow became the nation’s top passer.
This blog takes a look at Mestemaker’s impact, along with other key transfers in the Big 12. Oklahoma State’s overhaul under head coach Eric Morris is a story in itself.
The Rise of Drew Mestemaker
Drew Mestemaker’s story is all about grit and raw talent. He never even started at quarterback in high school, but he still walked on at North Texas without a scholarship.
He put in the work and eventually led the entire FBS in passing yards. He even took home the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top former walk-on.
Now, Mestemaker is set to run Oklahoma State’s offense. He’s following his old head coach Eric Morris to Stillwater, and that’s got folks buzzing.
From Walk-On to FBS Leader
Honestly, Mestemaker’s rise is the kind of thing fans and analysts love. In just two years, he went from unknown walk-on to the nation’s leading passer.
He racked up 4,379 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. There was even a game where he threw for 608 yards—just bonkers.
*Drew’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be,* Morris said. *He hasn’t played a ton of football, and so I think he’ll really grow a ton in these next couple of years.*
Oklahoma State’s Roster Overhaul
The 2025 season was brutal for Oklahoma State. They finished 1-11, which is as bad as it’s been since 1991.
The program hasn’t won a Big 12 game in two seasons. That led to the end of Mike Gundy’s legendary run as head coach.
Eric Morris came in with a new vision. He brought a “hard reset” approach to the Cowboys’ roster, and it’s a pretty bold move.
The North Texas Connection
Morris didn’t make the trip to Stillwater by himself. He brought the core of the North Texas offense that nearly made the College Football Playoff.
Along with Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young joined the Cowboys. This trio was huge for North Texas, and their chemistry could really shake things up at Oklahoma State.
- Drew Mestemaker: FBS leading passer with 4,379 yards
- Caleb Hawkins: Dynamic running back and Mestemaker’s former backfield partner
- Wyatt Young: Talented wide receiver and another North Texas transplant
With 87 newcomers, Morris has basically rebuilt the team from scratch. It’s a gutsy move to try and revive a program that’s been down for a while.
Impactful Transfers Across the Big 12
Mestemaker isn’t the only transfer people are talking about in the Big 12. According to On3’s Brett McMurphy, several other players could make a big splash this season.
These transfers might just change how the conference looks and feels.
Top Transfers to Watch
Here are a few of the most intriguing transfers in the Big 12 for 2026:
- Mateen Ibirogba: Defensive lineman from Wake Forest, now at Texas Tech
- Caleb Hawkins: Running back from North Texas, now at Oklahoma State
- Austin Romaine: Linebacker from Kansas State, now at Texas Tech
- Omarion Miller: Wide receiver from Colorado, now at Arizona State
- Reed Harris: Wide receiver from Boston College, now at Arizona State
- DeAndre Moore Jr.: Wide receiver from Texas, now at Colorado
- Wendell Gregory: Defensive end from Kansas State, now at Oklahoma State
- Wyatt Young: Wide receiver from North Texas, now at Oklahoma State
- DJ Lagway: Quarterback from Florida, now at Baylor
These guys bring real talent and experience. Their presence could tip the scales for their new teams in a super competitive conference.
Challenges and Opportunities
There’s plenty of hype, but the real test is how these transfers perform against the Big 12’s tough competition. Mestemaker, Hawkins, and Young will have to grind through a nine-game conference schedule.
They’ll face some of the nastiest defenses in college football. That’s not exactly a walk in the park.
High Stakes and High Rewards
The pressure’s on for Oklahoma State. The recent losing streak has everyone feeling the heat, and this new roster could totally change the program’s direction.
Mestemaker’s attitude and leadership will matter a ton as the team navigates all this. If he can keep the group focused, who knows what could happen?
*Coach Morris’ whole thing is we’re going to win wherever we go. So I think if you don’t have that mindset, you’re not in it for the right reasons, and that’s how you should feel every day,* Mestemaker said. *The open state of the conference excites us and really lets us set our goals high, like we can win this conference championship and be at the top of this thing.*
Conclusion
The 2026 season could be a turning point for Oklahoma State and the Big 12. Drew Mestemaker steps in as the leader, with transfers like Caleb Hawkins and Wyatt Young ready to make an impact.
The transfer portal brought new energy to Oklahoma State. Fans are buzzing, wondering how this revamped roster will actually look on the field.
Want all the details about these transfers? Check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.
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