Oklahoma State’s ‘Big 3’ on Pace To Finish With Better Numbers Than They Had at North Texas

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Throughout the offseason, conversation surrounding the Cowboys centered on three transfers from North Texas and whether they could make the jump to the next level.

With eight games behind them, quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and receiver Wyatt Young have probably shattered even the most positive expectations.

Those three didn’t just take the jump up in stride. They’ve managed to be even more successful this season.

“All of our players, I think, that are having success and doing things, the one common theme about those guys is they love to compete at all times, and that’s no different in practice,” coach Eric Morris said on Tuesday. “They’re all great practice players.”

That quote came up in connection with praise of Young for his response in practice this week. Hawkins was also mentioned in a previous comment about good practice players.

Mestemaker wasn’t praised specifically for his practice habits this week, but he’s been complimented in the past. And his numbers say more than enough.

How do you improve on being the best? That’s a question Mestemaker answers every week.

After ranking first nationally in passing yards, total offense and yards per attempt while finishing second in passing touchdowns last season, Mestemaker’s numbers this fall are somehow even better.

Mestemaker currently ranks second in both passing yards (2,649) and total offense (2,815), putting him on pace for nearly identical numbers in 13 games this season as he put up last year in 14 games.​

Hawkins’ TD total has taken quite a hit after he led the country in scoring with 29 total touchdowns last season. But the running back has more than delivered on his potential in every other way.

Considering Hawkins has scored four of his six touchdowns this season in the last three weeks, he’s actually on pace to finish with 12 or 13 total this year, which still represents a huge dip for him.

Yet, he’s up significantly in the other categories that matter and has been a true bell cow for the Pokes all while facing defenders that were supposed to be so much bigger and faster that Hawkins would be tested. Instead, he’s emerged as a better receiver lately and is still on pace to hit last season’s totals on the ground.

Hawkins currently ranks third in all-purpose yards per game after finishing fourth in that category last season, and he checks in at third in yards after contact after placing third last season, according to PFF.

He currently sits 11th nationally in rushing yards, but finished fifth with a slightly worse total last season. Hawkins could surge past even these estimates across the board, considering his 275 all-purpose yards in the last game are more than any other Big 12 player has put up in a conference game this season.

Although red-zone issues are the big reason Hawkins’ TD numbers are down, another is due to the success of Young, who is on pace to score three additional times in one fewer game this season.

Young’s numbers are also impressive considering the competition he faces for targets from receiver Justin Bowick, who nearly matches him across the board with 41 catches for 731 yards and nine touchdowns.

He finished third nationally in receiving yards and 12th in touchdowns last season. Young ranked 19th and tied for ninth entering the week.

His consistency will likely allow him to separate once again this season.

Young has scored a touchdown against every opponent this season except Tulsa. He’s also topped 70 receiving yards in four of five Big 12 games (52 vs. UCF) and has five-plus receptions in six of seven games (only four vs Colorado) against FBS teams.