Drew Mestemaker: The QB Who Could Shake Up the 2027 QB Class

Drew Mestemaker may be the biggest wild card in the 2027 quarterback class.

Few quarterbacks have raised their stock more over the past year. Now he has an opportunity to prove that his production translates against Power Conference competition at Oklahoma State.

The arm is live. The anticipation is real. The athletic ability is there. Now comes the biggest test of his career. Can he take everything he showed at North Texas and prove it against better competition at Oklahoma State?

That answer could determine whether he simply becomes an NFL prospect or emerges as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

From Walk-On to National Leader

The background makes his rise even more impressive.

Mestemaker walked on at North Texas and redshirted in 2024, appearing in five games with one start. That start came in the First Responder Bowl against Texas State, where he accounted for 448 total yards of offense and broke loose for a 70-yard rushing touchdown.

Then came the breakout.

As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Mestemaker started all 14 games and led the nation with 4,379 passing yards. He threw 34 touchdowns against just nine interceptions, completed 68.4% of his passes, and posted a 168.69 passer efficiency rating. Along the way, he rewrote the North Texas record book and earned the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top former walk-on.

That journey is part of what makes him so compelling. He wasn’t a quarterback everyone expected to become an NFL prospect. He earned every opportunity, produced at an elite level, and now heads to Oklahoma State with a chance to prove he belongs among the nation’s best.

What Stands Out on Tape

When I turned on the tape, the first thing that stood out was the arm talent. The ball jumps out of his hand. He generates excellent velocity, has a quick release, and isn’t afraid to challenge tight windows. There’s a confidence to the way he plays, and when he sees an opening, he trusts himself to make the throw.

Just as impressive was his anticipation. Mestemaker doesn’t wait for receivers to come completely open. He throws with timing, trusts what he sees, and routinely delivers the football before defenders can react. That trait consistently showed up throughout the tape.

He also brings athleticism to the position. Whether extending plays, escaping pressure, or throwing on the move, he has enough mobility to create outside the structure of the offense. He’s much more than a traditional pocket passer.

If there’s one performance that explains why NFL scouts will be watching him this season, it’s what he did against Charlotte. Mestemaker threw for 608 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-20 victory. The numbers are eye-catching, but what impressed me most was the confidence and aggressiveness he played with from start to finish.

The Biggest Question

Of course, there are still questions. The biggest question is the jump in competition. Putting up huge numbers at North Texas is one thing. Doing it every week at Oklahoma State against bigger, faster, and more talented defenses is another. This season will tell us a lot about where he truly belongs among the top quarterbacks in the country.

Mechanically, he also has a unique delivery. He starts the football unusually low, almost near his hip, before bringing it through his throwing motion. The release itself is quick, but the mechanics can get loose at times, leading to inconsistent ball placement.

He can also become overly aggressive. That aggressiveness is part of what makes him exciting, but it’s also an area where continued growth will help him take the next step as a quarterback.

My Final Evaluation

As things stand today, I have Mestemaker as my No. 3 quarterback in the 2027 class behind Arch Manning and Dante Moore. But if you ask me which quarterback has the best chance to challenge that order, Mestemaker belongs near the top of the list.

The tools are there. The arm talent is real. The anticipation consistently shows up on tape. The athletic ability is obvious. Now it comes down to one question. Can he prove everything he showed at North Texas against better competition at Oklahoma State?

If the answer is yes, we won’t be talking about whether Drew Mestemaker belongs among the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. We’ll be talking about whether he deserves to be the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class.

What Do You Think?

Can Drew Mestemaker prove he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the 2027 class?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and follow Fins Faithful for more NFL Draft scouting reports, prospect evaluations, rankings, and Miami Dolphins coverage.