Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker wasn\u2019t even the starting signal-caller on his high school football team.<\/p>\n
Now, he just might be the hottest name in the race to go No. 1 overall in next April\u2019s NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
Mestemaker, who followed new Cowboys head coach Eric Morris and offensive coordinator Sean Brophy from North Texas to Stillwater<\/a>, has emerged as one of the nation\u2019s top passers seemingly out of nowhere.<\/p>\n Oklahoma State University quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up before an NCAA football game against the University of Central Florida at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n NFL scouts and draft analysts are taking notice.<\/p>\n After losing a quarterback competition at Vandegrift High School in Texas, Mestemaker stayed put, playing defensive back and punter rather than transferring to get a starting job behind center.\u00a0<\/p>\n He eventually walked on at North Texas, where he spent his freshman season behind Chandler Morris before getting his first start in a bowl game against Texas State.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mestemaker had a breakout sophomore campaign, during which he led the FBS in passing yards, setting the stage for his move to Oklahoma State and a stunning ascent up NFL Draft boards as other big name college quarterbacks like Arch Manning struggle to prove they deserve to be the first player off the board<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Coming into the year, Mestemaker was already on the radar of NFL Draft analysts, although he was generally ranked outside the top tier of quarterback prospects and a fringe first-round pick.<\/p>\n Just six weeks into the season, his prospect status has changed dramatically.<\/p>\n Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up prior to a game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper Jr. has Mestemaker as the No. 2 player on his board behind Ohio State\u2019s star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler<\/a> also dubbed Mestemaker as his QB1 in the 2027 class. PFF has him as the first passer off the board<\/a> in their first mock draft of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMestemaker\u2019s path has been unprecedented,\u201d Brugler told The Post. \u201cWhile still raw in areas, he has exciting foundational traits with his size, arm, athleticism and mental toughness and his issues are primarily experienced-based.\u201d<\/p>\n CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson, who ranked Mestemaker as his No. 9 quarterback prospect over the summer, initially had reservations about his arm strength and ability to handle tougher competition.<\/p>\n Those concerns have quickly faded, with Wilson now ranking him second at the position.<\/p>\n \u201cAre they getting better? Are they not making the same mistakes they were making before? How are they against better competition?\u201d Wilson said of what he asks himself when evaluating quarterbacks. \u201cAnd every single test Mestemaker keeps passing.\u201d<\/p>\n After a season-opening dud against Tulsa, the Cowboys have won four straight behind Mestemaker and a high-powered offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) stands behind the line during the first half of a game against the Murray State Racers at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n