Drew Mestemaker Finally Had Schools Chasing Him—But No Amount of Money Could Beat His Trust in Eric Morris

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For most of Drew Mestemaker's football life, nobody was recruiting him. Then everybody wanted him.

When Mestemaker finally had the opportunity to experience something he'd missed coming out of high school, he took it.

He listened. But ultimately, no sales pitch—and apparently no amount of money—could overcome the relationship he already had with Eric Morris.

Appearing on ESPN's College Football Live, Oklahoma State's new quarterback explained why he followed Morris from North Texas to Stillwater despite having an opportunity to explore the transfer market.

“I told Coach I was going to hear other people out just because I never got recruited before. I felt like I deserved to hear people out.”

Can you blame him? This was someone who barely played quarterback in high school and arrived at North Texas as a walk-on without a scholarship offer. Then everything changed.

From Nobody Calling to Everybody Calling

Mestemaker became one of college football's biggest breakout stories last season.

He threw for an FBS-leading 4,379 yards with 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions, leading North Texas to a program-record 12 wins.

Suddenly, the guy nobody recruited had options. Big ones.

CBS Sports reported this summer that Mestemaker had opportunities to pursue significant money elsewhere before choosing Oklahoma State.

For perhaps the first time in his football career, Mestemaker got to be recruited.

So he listened. But then he came back to the person who had believed in him before everyone else did.

“Stronger Than Any Amount of Money”

This was the part of Mestemaker's ESPN appearance that stood out most.

“At the end of the day, the trust I have with Coach Morris and the relationship we had felt stronger than any other amount of money anyone could offer.”

That's quite a statement in modern college football. Players have more freedom than ever.

The portal can transform careers. Financial opportunities obviously matter.

 Mestemaker had every right to capitalize on what he'd accomplished. Instead, he decided the best investment in his future was continuing to play for Morris.

Why? Because Morris helped turn him into the player everyone suddenly wanted.

Mestemaker added that he believes in “the way he coaches and calls plays. The way he teaches offense.”

That's not blind loyalty. There's evidence behind it.

Morris Bet on Mestemaker Before Mestemaker Was a Star

This is what makes their relationship different. Morris didn't recruit Mestemaker after he threw for 4,379 yards.

He took him when there wasn't much quarterback film to evaluate at all. Mestemaker began his North Texas career buried on the depth chart before rapidly developing under Morris and his staff.

Eventually, he became the centerpiece of the nation's most productive passing attack. Morris bet on Mestemaker before there was much reason for anyone else to. Then when Morris left for Oklahoma State, Mestemaker returned the favor.

That Trust Could Accelerate OSU's Rebuild

This relationship is also one of the biggest reasons Oklahoma State's rebuild feels different.

Morris isn't starting from scratch at quarterback. His QB already knows the offense. He trusts the playcaller. He understands what's expected at the line of scrimmage. And Mestemaker isn't alone.

A significant group of North Texas players followed Morris to Stillwater, giving Oklahoma State players who already understand how their new coach operates.  That's invaluable when you're trying to completely reset a program after a 1-11 season.

Final Thoughts

There is something fitting about Mestemaker's journey. Nobody recruited him.

Morris gave him an opportunity. Mestemaker turned that opportunity into becoming the nation's leading passer.

Then suddenly everyone wanted him. He finally got to listen to the pitches he never received coming out of high school.

And after hearing them? He chose the coach who believed in him before everyone else did.

Money matters in modern college football. Opportunities matter.

But for Mestemaker, apparently there was something worth even more. Trust.

Now he and Morris get to find out how far that trust can take Oklahoma State.

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