Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mesmeker needed all of one game Saturday to begin to shake off a disappointing Week 1 loss to Tulsa. Mestemaker Oklahoma State – 24.5-point underdog – 39-31 No. 6 As the Ducks were upset, he started a spectacular performance by breaking free for a 75-yard run on the Cowboys’ first offense against Oregon.
Messmaker, who followed Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris this season, completed 26-of-43 passing for 317 yards and two touchdowns while adding 109 yards and a touchdown rushing.
He threw two touchdown passes on both drives that led to 14 Oregon points in the first half. But he more than made up for it, eventually clinching the win with a 7-yard run with 1:33 left.
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ESPN reported during the game’s broadcast that 20 NFL scouts, two general managers and one president of football operations were at the game, presumably to see Oregon’s starting QB Dante Moore compete to become the No. 1 pick in April. However, Moore struggled on 14-of-29 passing for 191 yards and two TDs behind an offensive line struggling to defend him.
Mestemaker, on the other hand, probably only raised his stock in his second start at Oklahoma State.
What does this performance mean for Mestemaker’s NFL Draft outlook?
Once again, the preseason hype for Mestemaker’s NFL future proves to be justified. After a disappointing start to the game last week, Messemaker Moore brought his game up for most of the game and was the driving force behind a huge upset win.
The main takeaway: It’s very, very easy to enjoy Mestemaker’s massive promise. No. 4 QB for 2027 My preseason draft boardHe has excellent arm talent, which he showed against Oregon with his ability to hit key windows and line the ball between coverages. He remains untroubled in the pocket to develop routes and find the man. And his athleticism is a huge asset. He executes at a high level in bigs and boots and can walk to take the yard with his legs.
Mestemaker had a 75-yard gain on a first-quarter run, picked up another 10 on a fourth-quarter touchdown and showed his finishing strength, putting him on a zone read to put away the game.
You most likely know the story by now, but Meste Maker hasn’t started at quarterback since high school and was lucky enough to be a walk-on at North Texas before breaking out as a redshirt freshman last year. His lack of experience is evident in the way he still decides to throw the ball and hold the ball too long, with inconsistent development times. But most of his issues are based on experience, so he should continue to improve against top competition.
His physical attributes are impressive, and Mestemaker plays with a competitiveness and unwavering confidence that leads directly to victory, as we saw on Saturday.
Given his background (and that relative lack of experience), would he be better off going back to school eventually than entering the 2027 NFL Draft? Maybe, but that’s a question we’ll keep revisiting throughout the year.
