As the college football transfer portal prepares to open once again, one name is already dominating early discussions among quarterback-needy programs: North Texas redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker. According to PFSN analyst Ian Cummings, Mestemaker is expected to enter the portal, and it is fair to say he could land just about anywhere he chooses.
Indiana Forecasted as a Contender for Drew Mestemaker
If the annual national quarterback carousel underscores anything, it is that the NCAA has a real quarterback development problem. Programs are constantly searching for ready-made solutions rather than cultivating talent. Mestemaker is the rare exception: a quarterback who has not only been developed properly but has arguably developed ahead of schedule.
His 2025 season was proof. As a redshirt freshman, Mestemaker threw for 4,129 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, posting a near-elite PFSN QB Impact grade of 86.2. Remarkably, this level of production came during his first collegiate season despite one of the most striking aspects of his background: he never started a single game in high school.
With his youth, production, and untapped upside, Mestemaker projects as one of the top quarterbacks in what figures to be a loaded transfer portal class. Cummings highlights Indiana as a possible fit, saying:
“The only question is where Mestemaker will go. Will he follow his head coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State to resurrect the Cowboys? Will he be tabbed as the successor to Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at Indiana? Or will a wild card break into the conversation?”
North Texas star QB Drew Mestemaker is considered likely to enter the transfer portal, sources tell @mzenitz and me for @CBSSports. A final decision is not expected until after UNT’s bowl game.
Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,129 passing yards this year. https://t.co/Z3FtwitikL pic.twitter.com/fmNiMqtnPR
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 16, 2025
A clear landing spot for Mestemaker is Indiana if he wants to continue his developmental ascent on a national stage. Under Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have become a transfer portal gold mine for quarterbacks, most recently with Mendoza. Mendoza’s leap from 2024 to 2025 was dramatic: his PFSN QB Impact grade surged from 77.6 (39th nationally) to 93.2, the second-best mark in the country, in his first season in Bloomington. That kind of growth should be enticing for Mestemaker, who could remain even longer than Mendoza did and unlock an even higher ceiling.
Looking at Mestemaker’s Development
That meteoric rise speaks volumes about both Mestemaker’s work ethic and the developmental environment he came from. Former North Texas head coach Eric Morris, now the head coach at Oklahoma State, deserves significant credit. Morris identified Mestemaker as an under-recruited prospect, brought him into the program, and oversaw one of the most rapid quarterback development curves in recent memory.
Of course, Mestemaker deserves immense credit for what he has accomplished on the field, but Morris’s role cannot be overstated. Together, they led the 21st-ranked offense nationally in the PFSN Offensive Impact metric (84.0), powered the No. 1 passing offense in the country by yardage, and finished third nationally in passing touchdowns. That level of production does not happen by accident.
Physically, Mestemaker checks every box modern programs crave. At 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, he boasts a high-powered arm, excellent touch, natural drive velocity, and the athleticism to operate off-platform comfortably. His movement skills allow him to extend plays without sacrificing mechanics, and his pocket feel is advanced for his age.
Perhaps most enticing is the fact that he is still just scratching the surface of his potential. Mestemaker has plenty of room to add 20 to 30 pounds of muscle over the next few seasons, which would help him better absorb contact at the most demanding position on the field. That added mass should not compromise his mobility or throwing motion, only enhance his durability. Availability is everything at quarterback, and his physical maturation is still very much ahead of him.
The Market for Mestemaker
With Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza potentially moving on, the Hoosiers could be in the market for a high-upside successor capable of sustaining their offensive ceiling. Mestemaker fits that mold perfectly. His vertical passing ability, poise, and processing speed would translate well in Bloomington, and Indiana’s willingness to invest in quarterback play via NIL could make them a serious player in the sweepstakes.
That is the reality of today’s college football economy: supply and demand. Proven quarterbacks are scarce, and elite potential is priceless.
Another obvious option is following Eric Morris to Oklahoma State, where familiarity, scheme fit, and trust are already in place. The writing is certainly on the wall. Morris recruited him, developed him, and knows exactly how much more he can get out of him. From a football standpoint, it may be the cleanest transition possible.
One thing is certain amid all the uncertainty: Mestemaker will have his pick of the litter. Whether that path leads to Oklahoma State, Indiana, or somewhere no one expects, the next chapter of his story is about to begin, and college football will be watching closely.