QB Drew Mestemaker Took the Scenic Route to Power Conference Football but He Wouldn’t Change a Thing

STILLWATER — Two years ago, literally any school in the country could have had quarterback Drew Mestemaker. He just wanted a chance to prove himself.

“I remember having calls with D-III coaches that wanted me to come be an athlete and play both sides of the ball,” Mestemaker said. “And I remember telling them my goal is to play Power Four football. I want to be under the bright lights. I want to do that. They told me I was crazy, and I didn’t have the film for it.”

Mestemaker, a former 0-star prospect, emerged as a consensus top-three quarterback in the transfer portal this offseason.

It’s well documented that he never earned the starting role in high school, but that didn’t stop him from trusting that his breakthrough moment was always just around the corner.

“I think I always had a belief in myself that someday it would work out,” Mestemaker said. “Some people probably called me crazy for thinking that, but I think that’s kind of the mentality you have to have. … I’m forever grateful for Coach (Eric) Morris for taking a chance on me.”

He was all set to play junior college ball out in California until Sam Houston then North Texas extended walk-on offers just ahead of summer workouts.

In just over six months, Mestemaker will finally achieve his goal of playing Power Four football. Despite two down Cowboy seasons, the quarterback said he’s ready to embrace higher expectations.

“You look back, and you think about all those times when I was emailing schools, and they said they didn’t have a quarterback spot for me,” he said. “And now you have the privilege of having that, all that pressure on you. It’s everything you could have dreamed of.”

Just in case he needed a reminder that he’s playing at a higher level now, Mestemaker seemed somewhat surprised with how famous he is among fellow students on campus.

“It’s kind of crazy that people know who I am when I’m walking around,” he said. “It’s because in North Texas, it wasn’t like that. … But it’s been cool, you know, meeting people through campus. And you know, everyone’s been really nice about it, like, just ask for a picture. I’m not gonna say no.”

A fact that kept Mestemaker trapped, as a line of mostly children formed in Gallagher-Iba Arena a few weeks ago during the wrestling dual vs Iowa State.

“I kind of think back to whenever I was in that position,” Mestemaker said. “I was that same kid walking up to, you know, I was doing it in high school, like, I was going to high school games and asking for their autograph. So I kind of think back to whenever I was that kid. And I have just always loved football and loved everything about it. So, you know, I’m not going to be the one to say no whenever those kids are asking for an autograph because it takes 10 seconds of my time. And you know, if they keep it and they love it, that’s awesome.”

Just over 13 months ago, Mestemaker was still a nobody ahead of his first collegiate start when he threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns in a bowl game versus Texas State. Since then, the quarterback said his life has done a 180.

Even though he’s happy to be on this side of things now, Mestemaker made it clear he’s happy with the journey that brought him to Stillwater. He can now say he’s glad to be an overlooked high school backup.

“I wouldn’t trade my way for the world,” he said.