From walk-on to starter, Drew Mestemaker charts a rise mirroring Fernando Mendoza

Drew Mestemaker began his college career at North Texas as a walk-on after receiving no scholarship offers out of Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. Coach Eric Morris initially viewed him as a project, but Mestemaker quickly rose from fifth-string to backup and then starter when Chandler Morris left for the transfer portal. His breakout performance in a bowl game against Texas State, highlighted by a 70-yard touchdown run, earned him the starting role for the next season, where he guided the Mean Green to an AAC title game and a 12-win campaign, capturing conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and the Burlsworth Award for former walk-ons.

After the season, he entered the transfer portal and chose Oklahoma State, citing his trust in Morris and the coaching staff. He joins 17 other players following Morris to Stillwater, as the Cowboys aim to rebound from a 1-11 record and a long Big 12 drought.