Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mestemaker in the top 15 for Golden Arm Award
October 08, 2026 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker is a top 15 candidate for the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, announced Thursday by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.
Mestemaker, who ranks No. 2 in the FBS and leads all Power 4 players in passing yards per game, is one of five quarterbacks from the Big 12 who make up a third of the players remaining in contention for the national honor.
A transfer in his first year in Stillwater, Mestemaker has turned heads nationwide with his start to the 2026 season. In addition to his 318 passing yards per game, he ranks No. 2 in the FBS in total offense, No. 10 in points responsible for per game and No. 12 in completions per game. He holds a streak of 19 consecutive games with more than 200 passing yards to mark the longest active streak in the nation by eight games.
As the season continues, the Golden Arm Award selection committee will evaluate the remaining candidates based on their performance on the field as well as the character, leadership, sportsmanship, academic achievement and citizenship.
The field will continue to narrow in the coming weeks before finalists are selected and one quarterback is named the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore December 9.
Mestemaker and the Cowboys are back in action Saturday, hosting UCF in a sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium. The November 1 game against Texas Tech and the November 28 game against Kansas are the only two remaining home games with tickets still available.
Tickets are on sale at www.okstate.com/tickets or by contacting the ticket office at 877-ALL-4-OSU. Fans can still secure their tickets to sold out games through SeatGeek, the official secondary partner of OSU Athletics.
Fans should also note that this Saturday's game against UCF is OSU's 2026 "Stripe the Stadium" game, and fans are encouraged to wear orange or black clothing depending on their seat location. A color-coded stadium map is available here.
Mestemaker, who ranks No. 2 in the FBS and leads all Power 4 players in passing yards per game, is one of five quarterbacks from the Big 12 who make up a third of the players remaining in contention for the national honor.
A transfer in his first year in Stillwater, Mestemaker has turned heads nationwide with his start to the 2026 season. In addition to his 318 passing yards per game, he ranks No. 2 in the FBS in total offense, No. 10 in points responsible for per game and No. 12 in completions per game. He holds a streak of 19 consecutive games with more than 200 passing yards to mark the longest active streak in the nation by eight games.
As the season continues, the Golden Arm Award selection committee will evaluate the remaining candidates based on their performance on the field as well as the character, leadership, sportsmanship, academic achievement and citizenship.
The field will continue to narrow in the coming weeks before finalists are selected and one quarterback is named the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore December 9.
Mestemaker and the Cowboys are back in action Saturday, hosting UCF in a sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium. The November 1 game against Texas Tech and the November 28 game against Kansas are the only two remaining home games with tickets still available.
Tickets are on sale at www.okstate.com/tickets or by contacting the ticket office at 877-ALL-4-OSU. Fans can still secure their tickets to sold out games through SeatGeek, the official secondary partner of OSU Athletics.
Fans should also note that this Saturday's game against UCF is OSU's 2026 "Stripe the Stadium" game, and fans are encouraged to wear orange or black clothing depending on their seat location. A color-coded stadium map is available here.
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