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Drew Mestemaker had options when deciding where to continue his college football career.

After a breakout season at North Texas, the quarterback drew interest from programs including Michigan, Oregon, LSU and Texas Tech when entering the transfer portal. Instead, Mestemaker followed Eric Morris to Oklahoma State.

As he prepares to make his first start for the Cowboys on Saturday against Tulsa, his decision provides another example of the trust Oklahoma State's new starting quarterback has developed in Morris.

Mestemaker is entering his third year being coached by Morris after beginning his career at North Texas. He went from a walk-on who didn't start at quarterback in high school to one of college football's most productive passers under Morris' guidance.

"I've learned a lot," Mestemaker said. "Just the way he calls the offense. He helps you get up to speed."

Mestemaker threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season while helping lead one of the country's most productive offenses. But his development under Morris goes beyond learning plays.

"Just the way he views offenses and where he's trying to attack, that's helped me grow as a quarterback," Mestemaker said. "And just understanding what plays he's calling and what they're trying to accomplish."

That familiarity should be particularly valuable as Oklahoma State enters its first season under Morris with a dramatically rebuilt roster.

Mestemaker isn't learning a new offense or developing a relationship with a new play-caller. Instead, he's helping bring a system he already knows to Stillwater. But following Morris to Oklahoma State also means accepting the expectations attached to a program attempting to rebound from a 1-11 season.

For Mestemaker, those expectations aren't based only on Oklahoma State's recent struggles. He remembers watching the Cowboys regularly compete on the national stage while growing up.

"College football is better whenever this place is winning," Mestemaker said. "You grow up watching all the New Year's Six bowls that this team was in. You feel that."

Oklahoma State became one of the Big 12's most consistent programs during Mike Gundy's tenure, producing eight seasons with at least 10 victories and appearing in major bowl games including the Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

Last season represented the opposite end of that spectrum. The Cowboys won only one game, leading to a massive offseason reset and Morris taking over the program. Mestemaker understands that Oklahoma State's history creates expectations regardless of what happened a year ago.

"The expectation of what you win when you're here," Mestemaker said. "That's been our mindset since we got here."

Now he has an opportunity to play a major role in restoring those expectations. Mestemaker could have taken his breakout season elsewhere. Instead, he chose to continue developing under the coach who helped turn him into one of the nation's most productive quarterbacks.

Saturday provides the first opportunity for that partnership to translate to Oklahoma State — and potentially begin moving the Cowboys back toward the standard Mestemaker remembers watching growing up.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Drew Mestemaker had options when deciding where to continue his college football career.

After a breakout season at North Texas, the quarterback drew interest from programs including Michigan, Oregon, LSU and Texas Tech when entering the transfer portal. Instead, Mestemaker followed Eric Morris to Oklahoma State.

As he prepares to make his first start for the Cowboys on Saturday against Tulsa, his decision provides another example of the trust Oklahoma State's new starting quarterback has developed in Morris.

Mestemaker is entering his third year being coached by Morris after beginning his career at North Texas. He went from a walk-on who didn't start at quarterback in high school to one of college football's most productive passers under Morris' guidance.

"I've learned a lot," Mestemaker said. "Just the way he calls the offense. He helps you get up to speed."

Mestemaker threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season while helping lead one of the country's most productive offenses. But his development under Morris goes beyond learning plays.

"Just the way he views offenses and where he's trying to attack, that's helped me grow as a quarterback," Mestemaker said. "And just understanding what plays he's calling and what they're trying to accomplish."

That familiarity should be particularly valuable as Oklahoma State enters its first season under Morris with a dramatically rebuilt roster.

Mestemaker isn't learning a new offense or developing a relationship with a new play-caller. Instead, he's helping bring a system he already knows to Stillwater. But following Morris to Oklahoma State also means accepting the expectations attached to a program attempting to rebound from a 1-11 season.

For Mestemaker, those expectations aren't based only on Oklahoma State's recent struggles. He remembers watching the Cowboys regularly compete on the national stage while growing up.

"College football is better whenever this place is winning," Mestemaker said. "You grow up watching all the New Year's Six bowls that this team was in. You feel that."

Oklahoma State became one of the Big 12's most consistent programs during Mike Gundy's tenure, producing eight seasons with at least 10 victories and appearing in major bowl games including the Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

Last season represented the opposite end of that spectrum. The Cowboys won only one game, leading to a massive offseason reset and Morris taking over the program. Mestemaker understands that Oklahoma State's history creates expectations regardless of what happened a year ago.

"The expectation of what you win when you're here," Mestemaker said. "That's been our mindset since we got here."

Now he has an opportunity to play a major role in restoring those expectations. Mestemaker could have taken his breakout season elsewhere. Instead, he chose to continue developing under the coach who helped turn him into one of the nation's most productive quarterbacks.

Saturday provides the first opportunity for that partnership to translate to Oklahoma State — and potentially begin moving the Cowboys back toward the standard Mestemaker remembers watching growing up.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos