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From walk-on at North Texas to promising NFL Draft prospect: What early season says about QB Drew Mestemaker

Oklahoma State signal-caller Drew Mestemaker is generating significant momentum ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft following a stunning 426-yard showing in an upset victory over sixth-ranked Oregon. The Austin native has taken an unusual path to national prominence, having earned all-district honors at safety and punter during high school without taking a single varsity snap under center, before walking on at North Texas.

After a productive 2025 campaign with the Mean Green across 13 starts, he transferred to the Cowboys, who have experienced a volatile start to the campaign with an opening defeat to Tulsa preceding the triumph over the Ducks.

His meteoric rise has prompted evaluators to reconsider his timeline, as observers previously expected him to remain in college through 2027 to continue developing. Analysts noted summer concerns regarding his arm strength, decision timing, and a tendency to stare down primary options against non-Power Four competition, originally ranking him as the ninth-best quarterback in the class.