Where Drew Grew: How Mestemaker Developed as a QB This Offseason

FRISCO, Texas — This offseason was Drew Mestemaker’s first where he had a season of quarterback film to look back on.

It’s been well-documented that Mestemaker, now a quarterback at Oklahoma State, didn’t play quarterback in high school but was rather playing safety and punting for Vandegrift High School in Austin. He then started North Texas’ bowl game as a true freshman in 2024, but the 2025 season was Mestemaker’s first full season as a starting quarterback while playing at a meaningful level of football.

“I think this offseason was definitely different than last one,” Mestemaker said. “Last one was kinda competing for the job and doing everything I could to win that job, and I feel like this year was more looking at our weaknesses from last year, and kinda figuring out what we can really do better and improve on as a whole offense, honestly, and just prepare the best for this upcoming season.”

And all this comes after Mestemaker led the country in passing last season, throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Although he has moved schools this offseason, he’s staying in the same offense under coach Eric Morris, who brought Mestemaker with him from North Texas. So, it isn’t just that Mestemaker is more comfortable having been on the field, he’s more comfortable in the system.

“Drew, he continues to be a student of the game, and I think the growth, because of how few games he’s actually played, it’s just gonna get better and better,” Morris said. “He’s such a smart kid. He retains information as good as anybody I’ve ever been around, so I think him being able to take the meeting room to the field, and then obviously it’s Year 3 in the same system.

“So, he’s like talking to a coach in the film room. Like, he knows what I’m gonna say before it’s even said to him, and I think that allows him to lead and be more vocal and talk to receivers on things that he wants. ‘Hey, you were too short on that route.’ ‘Hey, if it’s zone coverage, just think about breaking into that window a little bit earlier.’ So, it’s been fun since his knowledge has grown so much, he’s been able to spread it to other people.”

That’s something Mestemaker also pointed to, noting that he thinks his biggest growth of the offseason was been the knowledge of the offense. He said there are times when he knows the technically correct read to make, but he’s more comfortable with a different throw and knows he can go to it instead.

Despite all the gaudy numbers, Mestemaker said he could’ve been more aggressive last season after looking back at the tape.

Mestemaker completed 19 passes for 20 or more yards downfield last season, according to PFF. That tied for 46th nationally. For reference, OSU completed 12 such passes last season, and one of those came from receiver Shamar Rigby on a trick play.

“I think last year, I was honestly a little more conservative than I could’ve been,” Mestemaker said. “I think I could’ve taken a little more shots, so I think this spring was really the time for me to try that out and see what throws I could and couldn’t make. Obviously I know, like, this one’s gonna be tight, I’m gonna try it. I know that in the spring, and I talk to Coach Morris and Coach (Sean) Brophy about that. They give me the freedom to go out there and see what throws I can make. Obviously once the season starts, once fall camp starts, like now in the summer is when you start getting to, alright, I know if I can make that throw now. If I can’t make it, we’ll just check it down and move on. …

“I think last year, I missed a few opportunities I could’ve taken.”