The Big 12 Conference announced its preseason all-league football selections on Monday, highlighting Oklahoma State University’s incoming offensive talent. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker was voted the league’s newcomer of the year by head coaches, while wide receiver Wyatt Young earned a spot on the first team.
The awards come as the conference prepares for its media days, which begin Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, at The Star. During the two-day event, representatives from all 16 Big 12 teams will engage with the media regarding the upcoming season. Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris is scheduled to address the press on Tuesday, accompanied by Mestemaker, Young, running back Caleb Hawkins, and defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson.
Mestemaker and Young previously played together at North Texas under Morris during the 2025 season. The Mean Green finished that campaign with a 12-2 record. Mestemaker led all FBS quarterbacks in passing yards with 4,379 and topped the nation in passing yards per attempt at 9.46. He also threw 32 touchdown passes, a total that ranked second nationally. His performance followed a redshirt season in 2024 and two years as a walk-on at North Texas.
Young served as Mestemaker’s primary target last season. He recorded 70 receptions for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. His receiving yardage ranked third in the FBS and stood as the second-most in North Texas program history. Young averaged 90.3 receiving yards per game, which placed eighth nationally, and his touchdown count ranked 12th. He was also named to the first team of the American Athletic Conference and earned first-team All-America honors from PFSN.
The Cowboys enter the 2026 season seeking to reverse recent struggles. Oklahoma State finished 1-11 last year and has lost 18 consecutive Big 12 games over the past two seasons. The preseason honors suggest that Mestemaker and Young will be central to any potential turnaround. No Oklahoma State players were selected to the defensive team, indicating that the unit may lag behind the offense as the season begins. Morris has added players through the transfer portal and retains defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson and cornerback LaDanian Fields, but the coaching staff did not recognize any defensive players for preseason all-conference honors.
