Drew Mestemaker Among Highest-Paid QBs in College Football—Making More Than Arch Manning, Julian Sayin
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Oklahoma State didn't just bring Drew Mestemaker to Stillwater to run Eric Morris' offense. The Cowboys paid like they expect him to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football.
On3's Pete Nakos released a graphic showing the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football entering the 2026 season, and there was a familiar name sitting at No. 7.
Drew Mestemaker — $3.5 million. Yes.
The former North Texas walk-on who had never started a college football game at this time last year is now reportedly making more than some of the biggest names in the sport. Including Arch Manning and Julian Sayin.
Mestemaker Is Getting PAID
Here's the top of On3's list:
Darian Mensah, Miami — $6M+
Dante Moore, Oregon — $5M
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss — $5M
Sam Leavitt, LSU — $4.5M
Josh Hoover, Indiana — $4.5M
Demond Williams, Washington — $4M
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State — $3.5M
That puts Oklahoma State's quarterback among the seven highest-paid quarterbacks in college football. And there's additional reporting behind that $3.5 million figure.
Mestemaker reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth roughly $7 million when he followed Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State. The reported structure pays him approximately $3.5 million this season and $4 million in 2027.
So this isn't simply some hypothetical social-media valuation. Oklahoma State made a massive financial commitment to its new quarterback.
More Than Arch Manning AND Julian Sayin
This is where things get especially interesting. According to On3's updated figures, Julian Sayin is at $2.5 million. So is Arch Manning. Think about that.
Sayin was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season after completing 77% of his passes with 32 touchdowns for Ohio State. Manning is arguably the most recognizable player in college football and returned to a Texas program with national championship expectations.
And Mestemaker? $3.5 million. A full $1 million more than either one.
Now, there is context with Manning. On3's methodology changed, and reporting indicates Manning took less to help Texas allocate money elsewhere on its roster. Still, seeing Mestemaker's name above both of them tells you everything about how valuable Oklahoma State believed he was to this rebuild.
From Walk-On to $3.5 Million
That's what makes this story incredible. Mestemaker wasn't some five-star quarterback destined for a multimillion-dollar payday. He arrived at North Texas as a walk-on. Then he got his opportunity. And he exploded.
Last season Mestemaker led the entire FBS with: 4,379 passing yards. 312.8 passing yards per game. 4,468 yards of total offense. He also threw 34 touchdowns and won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation's top former walk-on.
One season completely changed his career. Now he's Oklahoma State's starting quarterback, the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and on watch lists for the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Davey O'Brien awards.
And apparently? He's also one of the most expensive quarterbacks in America.
This Shows How All-In OSU Is on Eric Morris
To me, that's the bigger Oklahoma State angle. OSU didn't hire Morris and then tell him to slowly build this thing over three or four years. Everything we've seen suggests Oklahoma State wants this turnaround to happen immediately.
Morris brought his quarterback. His running back. His receivers. His coaches. And a huge collection of players who already know his system. Mestemaker is the centerpiece of all of it.
Oklahoma State apparently valued keeping Morris and Mestemaker together enough to commit millions of dollars to make it happen. Now comes the pressure.
Final Thoughts
We've spent the entire offseason talking about the hype surrounding this Oklahoma State offense. Now attach a price tag to it. $3.5 million.
That's more than On3 currently lists for Arch Manning. More than Julian Sayin. And enough to put Mestemaker among the seven highest-paid quarterbacks in college football.
That's an incredible rise for someone who entered last season as a former walk-on making his first collegiate start. But it's also an enormous investment from Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys aren't paying Mestemaker simply to make them respectable again. At that price, they're betting he can make them relevant immediately.
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