Michigan Had Interest in Star Transfer Quarterback

The University of Michigan's football team was interested in a top transfer quarterback this offseason. That quarterback is Drew Mestemaker, who led all of college football in passing yards last season while playing for North Texas. Even though Michigan already had a talented freshman quarterback named Bryce Underwood, the new coaching staff appeared to want more competition at the position. Mestemaker revealed the news during an appearance on the 'Brandon Walker College Football Show' on Friday.

Mestemaker had an outstanding season at North Texas. He threw for 4,379 yards, which was the most of any quarterback in the entire NCAA last year. He also threw 34 touchdown passes and added five more scores by running the ball. Those big numbers made him one of the most wanted quarterbacks in the college football transfer portal.

During the show, Mestemaker explained which schools were the most interested in him. He said Oregon, LSU, Texas Tech, and Michigan were all in contact with his agent. 'Michigan was in our radar. Kind of those three, I guess--maybe (Texas) Tech a little bit,' he said. He added that he made his final decision fairly quickly.

Mestemaker chose to transfer to Oklahoma State to follow his head coach, Eric Morris, who left North Texas for that program. At the time Mestemaker was deciding, Oregon's Dante Moore had not yet announced he would return to the Ducks. That meant several big programs, including LSU and Texas Tech, were still searching for a starting quarterback.

Michigan's freshman quarterback, Bryce Underwood, had a mixed first season. The six-foot-four Detroit native completed about 60% of his passes for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he also threw nine interceptions and was sacked 20 times. He did show off his running ability by rushing for 392 yards and six more scores on the ground.

If Mestemaker had chosen Michigan, he likely would have started right away for the Wolverines. Underwood might have had the chance to sit and learn for a full year before taking over as starter in 2027. That is similar to what happened at Oregon, where quarterback Dylan Raiola ended up as a backup when Dante Moore decided to return. Instead, Underwood will have to earn the starting job and show big improvement in his second year under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.