Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker keeps stacking up national recognition, and Tuesday brought another round of it.
Mestemaker was named one of 18 national semifinalists for the 2026 Maxwell Award, one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy and one of 30 players in the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2026. The announcements put him in the mix for three of college football’s major honors.
The Maxwell Award goes to the national player of the year, and Mestemaker is one of four Big 12 players to make that semifinal list. He also landed among the six Big 12 players in the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2026, making him an official candidate for the 2026 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
For the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the nation’s best player who began his career as a walk-on, Mestemaker is one of four Big 12 players on the list. He won that award last season.
His numbers explain why he’s in the conversation. Mestemaker ranks No. 1 in the FBS in passing touchdowns with 29 and points responsible for with 204. He is also No. 2 in passing yards with 2,962 and No. 2 in total offense per game at 348.8.
He’s been explosive downfield, too. Mestemaker leads the FBS with 48 completions of at least 28 yards and 13 completions of at least 40 yards. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in an OSU record eight straight games and at least 200 yards in 24 straight games, both the longest active streaks in the nation.
On the ticket front, Oklahoma State season tickets are sold out for this year, but there are still a few chances to get into Stillwater. A small number of single-game tickets remain for the November 28 game against Kansas, while the November 15 game against Texas Tech is sold out. Tickets are available at www.okstate.com/tickets SeatGeek, the official secondary partner of OSU Athletics.
In Other News...
Eric Morris Addressed Drew Mestemaker's Future Before Texas Tech Showdown
Eric Morris spent part of the buildup to Oklahoma States meeting with Texas Tech revisiting familiar ground, from his ties to the Red Raiders program to the challenge of preparing for a team that can stress an opponent on both sides of the ball. He also talked through the practical side of a late kickoff, noting the adjustments that come with a different game-day rhythm as the Cowboys get ready for a tough road environment.
The bigger long-term question around Drew Mestemaker, though, was not something Morris wanted to tackle in the middle of game week. With speculation already building around the quarterbacks future, Morris said those conversations are being pushed off until after the season, keeping the focus on the matchup in front of Oklahoma State before anything else gets sorted out. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Mestemaker Just Showed How Far Oklahoma State Can Push This Offense
Oklahoma State spent its 66-28 win over Kansas State showing just how many ways it can stress a defense, and Drew Mestemaker was at the center of it. The quarterback already had the kind of afternoon that forces opponents to account for him in multiple phases, then the Cowboys added another layer with a designed wrinkle near the goal line that fit the game plan and the moment.
Eric Morris said the play was built to beat man coverage and has been part of his coaching toolbox before, which says plenty about how comfortable Oklahoma State is getting with its offensive identity. When a quarterback is involved in the passing game, the run game and the scoring sheet in so many different ways, it is a reminder that this attack is not just productive, it is willing to keep finding new edges. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Mestemakers Future Just Became A Real Oklahoma State Question
Drew Mestemakers attention is still where Oklahoma State wants it, at least for now. The Cowboys quarterback said he has not considered entering the NFL Draft and is staying locked on the current college football season, while coach Eric Morris made it clear any real conversation about Mestemakers pro future will wait until after the year.
Still, the outside buzz is already building around him. ESPN recently polled NFL scouts, and Mestemaker came out as the top eligible quarterback for the 2027 NFL Draft, a sign that his long-term ceiling is starting to draw serious notice even before the next chapter becomes a real decision point. For Oklahoma State, that only adds another layer to a season that already has plenty riding on it. [Read more 🡒]