The Final Draw (PFB+): A Deep Dive into Zane Flores’ Performance and Saying Good Bye to 2025 with Player Awards

STILLWATER — This is almost certainly the final Final Draw of the season since all attention should deservedly shift completely to the coaching decision that will likely impact the future of Oklahoma State football for the next decade-plus (even if it doesn’t work out, just ask Auburn what happens when hires go wrong).

In anticipation of that, much of what’s to come will discuss the current team through the lens of who could return to Stillwater in 2026 and what positions need a reset, regardless of this team’s eligibility.

Today’s edition of the Final Draw will focus on:

— Which (possible) returners set themselves apart against UCF
— Awards for players, play callers and the trick play which stood out the most on this team

But first, let’s talk about Zane Flores.

The Cowboys quarterback had a rough season. His first collegiate start (and first start at any level in years) came on the road at Oregon (a team still firmly in the playoff picture), playing behind an offensive line that shuffled multiple players at the last minute due to a freak injury the day before.

Flores also got hurt and missed time. His head coach was fired, subsequently forcing him to work with a new playcaller midseason when offensive coordinator Doug Meacham relinquished some duties to serve as interim head coach.

Through it all, he had to play in the shadow of Hauss Hejny, who looked incredibly sharp during his incredibly limited run against UT-Martin, an FCS team.

All of that can be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that the new Cowboy coaching staff is going to have to make some tough choices for 2026 and beyond …

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