Oklahoma State Adds Defensive Help, Eyes Portal as QB Connection with Eric Morris Gains Traction
Oklahoma State football’s offseason rebuild continues to take shape, and the pieces are starting to hint at a more aggressive, forward-thinking approach under new head coach Eric Morris. The Cowboys have added another defensive coach and bolstered their player personnel department, signaling that the program isn’t wasting any time retooling after a rough 2025 campaign.
But the real intrigue right now? It’s in the transfer portal - and specifically, the quarterback position.
A Familiar Face Could Be on the Move
North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports. And while transfer rumors swirl every winter, this one has some real weight behind it. Mestemaker’s connection to Morris is worth paying close attention to.
Morris, now at the helm in Stillwater, was the head coach at UNT when he took a chance on Mestemaker. That decision paid off in a big way.
Mestemaker went on to lead the nation in passing yards this past season with 4,129 and threw 31 touchdown passes - the second-most in the country. Those are eye-popping numbers, especially when you consider the context of what OSU was working with.
To put it bluntly: Oklahoma State’s quarterback play in 2025 was a major weakness. The Cowboys threw for just 2,089 yards and seven touchdowns during a 1-11 season that left fans frustrated and the program searching for answers. Mestemaker’s production would represent a massive upgrade - not just in stats, but in confidence, command, and offensive identity.
If the connection between Morris and Mestemaker leads to a reunion in Stillwater, it could be the first major domino in reshaping OSU’s offense. It’s not official yet, but it’s certainly a development worth monitoring closely.
Rigby Enters the Portal
On the outgoing side, wide receiver Shamar Rigby has announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Rigby had a solid, if not spectacular, 2025 season - catching 25 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown. His departure opens up another spot in a receiving corps that will likely see significant turnover and retooling under Morris.
While Rigby wasn’t the Cowboys’ top target, his exit adds to the growing list of roster changes and underscores just how much work lies ahead for the new staff.
The Bigger Picture
The moves happening now - both in terms of coaching hires and portal movement - are part of a broader reset for Oklahoma State. After a one-win season, the program is clearly leaning into change.
Bringing in a coach like Morris, known for his offensive creativity and quarterback development, was step one. Step two is about getting the right players to execute that vision.
If Mestemaker does land in Stillwater, he brings not just familiarity with Morris’ system, but proven production at the collegiate level. That’s a rare combination and one that could quickly accelerate OSU’s rebuild.
There’s still a lot to play out this offseason, but the pieces are starting to move - and for Oklahoma State, that’s exactly what needs to happen.