North Texas Star QB Drew Mestemaker Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker has announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to ESPN reporter Pete Thamel. This decision comes as the transfer portal officially opens on December 1, 2023. Mestemaker, who led the nation with 4,379 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, is expected to be one of the most sought-after quarterbacks available, given his impressive performance and three remaining years of eligibility.

Mestemaker’s breakout season as a starter positioned him as the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He guided North Texas to a historic achievement, leading the nation in scoring with an average of 45.1 points per game. Under his leadership, the Mean Green reached their first-ever American Conference title game and achieved a school-record 12 wins during the 2023 season.

From Walk-On to Standout

At 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 211 pounds, the redshirt freshman had a remarkable journey to the starting role. Before joining North Texas, Mestemaker had not started a game at quarterback since his freshman year of high school, where he played as a safety and punter at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. His opportunity arose following the transfer of former starting quarterback Chandler Morris to Virginia last December.

Mestemaker made an impressive debut in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl in January 2023, accumulating 448 total yards and three touchdowns against Texas State. He continued to build on that success throughout the season, totaling 4,468 yards over 14 games and setting a school record with 608 passing yards in a single game against Charlotte on October 24, 2023.

Impact of Coaching Changes

In a significant turn of events for the program, Oklahoma State hired head coach Eric Morris on November 25, 2023, leading to a wave of player departures from North Texas. Alongside Mestemaker, notable players such as All-America running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young, who ranked as the nation’s third-leading receiver, have also entered the transfer portal.

North Texas concluded its season on a high note, winning the Isleta New Mexico Bowl against San Diego State with a score of 49-47. Following this success, the university announced the hiring of former West Virginia and Troy head coach Neal Brown to lead the Mean Green football program moving forward.

As the transfer portal opens, the collegiate football landscape will continue to evolve, and Drew Mestemaker’s next destination will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.