Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker Gains Heisman Attention Ahead of 2026 Season

The 2026 college football season is set to begin on August 29, with Oklahoma State preparing for its opener against Tulsa on September 5. This season marks the debut of quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who transferred from North Texas under new head coach Eric Morris.

Mestemaker, who was previously named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, has seen his Heisman Trophy odds improve significantly from +10000 to +5000, making him the most exposed player for BetMGM. Despite this attention, expectations for the Cowboys remain low following a disappointing 1-11 record last season, with a projected win total of only 6.5.

In 2025, Mestemaker led the nation in several passing categories, throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns. His performance at North Texas has drawn comparisons to notable quarterbacks, and he is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. However, analysts suggest that winning the Heisman will be a challenge without a strong team performance.