University of North Texas Athletics
Mestemaker Named Semifinalist for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award
11/5/2025 11:56:00 AM | Football
Freshman out of Austin, Texas, named one of 14 semifinalists for National Freshman of the Year
PHILADELPHIA – Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker added another accolade to his list Wednesday when he was announced as one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football.
Mestemaker is the only player from the American on the list that also includes six other quarterbacks, three cornerbacks and two edge players and two wide receivers.
A freshman out of Austin, Texas, Mestemaker has completed 214 of 310 passes for 2,702 yards and 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions on the year. He has also rushed for four touchdowns on the ground.
Nationally, Mestemaker ranks third in the country in passing yards, sixth in passing touchdowns, fifth in points responsible for and 12th in total offense. He also has the most touchdown passes, passing yards and completions among all freshmen QBs in FBS.
No UNT player has ever won the award that has been presented since 2018.
For the 5th consecutive year, the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. The award Past winners include Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) - 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) – 2022 Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) 2023, and Colin Simmons (Texas 2024).
The full list of Semifinalists are listed below alphabetically by school.
Mestemaker is the only player from the American on the list that also includes six other quarterbacks, three cornerbacks and two edge players and two wide receivers.
A freshman out of Austin, Texas, Mestemaker has completed 214 of 310 passes for 2,702 yards and 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions on the year. He has also rushed for four touchdowns on the ground.
Nationally, Mestemaker ranks third in the country in passing yards, sixth in passing touchdowns, fifth in points responsible for and 12th in total offense. He also has the most touchdown passes, passing yards and completions among all freshmen QBs in FBS.
No UNT player has ever won the award that has been presented since 2018.
For the 5th consecutive year, the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. The award Past winners include Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) - 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) – 2022 Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) 2023, and Colin Simmons (Texas 2024).
The full list of Semifinalists are listed below alphabetically by school.
| Dijon Lee Jr. | Alabama | Cornerback |
| Bear Bachmeier | BYU | Quarterback |
| Micah Alejado | Hawaii | Quarterback |
| Zahir Mathis | Maryland | Edge |
| Malachi Toney | Miami | Wide Receiver |
| CJ Carr | Notre Dame | Quarterback |
| Drew Mestemaker | North Texas | Quarterback |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | Quarterback |
| Wendell Gregory | Oklahoma State | Edge |
| Brandon Finney | Oregon | Cornerback |
| Mason Heintschel | Pitt | Quarterback |
| Demetres Samuel Jr. | Syracuse | Quarterback |
| Ty Redmond | Tennessee | Cornerback |
| Braylon Staley | Tennessee | Wide Receiver |
-- GMG --
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballSpring Football 2026 Media Availability 3/25 | Mean Green FB
Wednesday, March 25
Spring Football 2026 Media Availability 3/20 | Mean Green FB
Friday, March 20
2026 National Signing Day Press Conference | Mean Green FB
Wednesday, February 04
Glory To The Green: New Mexico Bowl Recap vs SDSU | Mean Green FB
Tuesday, December 30