Oklahoma State Names Seven Captains Ahead of Eric Morris’ First Season

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Oklahoma State has named its leaders for the first season of the Eric Morris era.

The Cowboys announced seven team captains ahead of their Sept. 5 season opener at Tulsa: quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, defensive back Quinton Hammonds, linebacker Ethan Wesloski, defensive end Jaleel Johnson and punter Lachie Pozzobon.

The selections also provide another example of just how different Oklahoma State will look in 2026.

Johnson is the only returning Cowboy among the seven captains, while five joined Oklahoma State through the transfer portal this offseason. Mestemaker, Hawkins, Hammonds and Wesloski all followed Morris from North Texas, while Pozzobon transferred from Stephen F. Austin. Sexton came to Stillwater after spending four seasons at Oklahoma.

Mestemaker and Hawkins will be two of the most important pieces of Morris' offense after breakout seasons with the Mean Green.

Mestemaker led the nation with 4,379 passing yards as a redshirt freshman while throwing 34 touchdowns. Hawkins rushed for 1,434 yards and added another 370 receiving yards while scoring 29 total touchdowns, the most in the country.

Both now return to Oklahoma with an opportunity to help Morris rebuild a Cowboys program coming off a 1-11 season.

Sexton adds experience to an offensive line that will be tasked with protecting Mestemaker. The 6-foot-6, 328-pound redshirt senior started games in each of his four seasons at Oklahoma and has experience playing both guard and tackle.

Two more former North Texas players will provide leadership defensively. Wesloski led the Mean Green with 113 tackles last season, including nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Hammonds recorded 53 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions during his sophomore season.

Johnson provides a connection to the previous Oklahoma State roster. Despite being limited to four games because of injury last season, the defensive end recorded 16 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Morris also called Johnson the Cowboys' most disruptive defensive player during the spring.

Pozzobon rounds out the group after transferring from Stephen F. Austin. The Australian punter averaged 41.8 yards per punt last season and was named an FCS Football Central Freshman All-American.

The makeup of the captain group is especially notable considering the scale of Oklahoma State's offseason transformation. Morris and his staff brought in more than 90 newcomers, including 68 transfers, as they rebuilt nearly the entire roster following consecutive losing seasons. Many of those newcomers won't just be asked to contribute immediately. They'll be asked to lead.

That process officially begins Sept. 5 when Oklahoma State travels to Tulsa for its season opener before returning to Boone Pickens Stadium to face Oregon on Sept. 12.

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