DREW MESTEMAKER: 739 TRAINING SESSIONS. ONE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.
The most remarkable thing about Drew Mestemaker's story isn't where he is today, and what he accomplished last game.
The most remarkable thing is Drew’s perseverance, resilience and a lifelong commitment to his dream.
Drew began training at 1UP Sports Performance at just 9 years old, working with 1UP Speed coaches and quarterback coach Dakota Prukop.
For years, they worked together. Sharing a passion for football, training, and the pursuit of being the best version of yourself.
Dakota had his own journey as a quarterback, from Vandegrift to Montana State, Oregon and eight years in the CFL, before becoming a professional quarterback coach in the Canadian Football League.
But here's the part of Drew's story that people may not know...
Drew made the B team QB in Middle School, just like Dakota Prukop. Drew was overlooked coming out of high school.
He didn't get the opportunity to be the starting quarterback.
In fact, during his senior season, he played safety and served as the backup quarterback.
Most young quarterbacks might have decided their dream was over.
Drew didn't.
After his senior year, with no HS film and no offers, he went to a quarterback camp in Dallas.
And that's where everything began to change.
Drew caught the attention of a highly respected quarterback coach, who saw something in him and helped connect him with North Texas.
They gave him an opportunity.
And Drew did what Drew had been doing all along...
He worked.
The result?
His first starting QB start was in the Alamo Bowl game his Freshman year. He killed it!
Next year he earned the starting QB position at North Texas. A breakout season 11-1. Led the FBS in passing yards.
20 awards and honors.
National recognition. From overlooked to one of the most coveted QB’s in the portal.
He followed head coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State, signing….
A 2-year, $7 million NIL Deal
Then came Saturday.
Drew helped lead Oklahoma State to a stunning victory over No. 6 Oregon.
And now…
HEISMAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ASSOCIATED PRESS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
And when we look back into the 1UP records, we see the number that tells us something the headlines don't:
739.
739 times Drew trained with us.
739 times he showed up.
739 times he chose to keep working.
From a 9-year-old kid...
to a high school quarterback who didn’t get the starting job...
to a quarterback discovered after his senior season...
to North Texas...
to 20 awards...
to Oklahoma State...
to the national stage.
The spotlight may be new.
The work is not.
Drew, we couldn't be more proud of you!
Sometimes the best stories aren't the ones where everything goes according to plan.
They're the ones where a young athlete gets overlooked...
and keeps showing up for himself anyway.
739 sessions. One incredible journey.
TAKE YOUR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
