Morris, Mestemaker and Hawkins: Oklahoma State Offensive Line Will Be Good!

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FRISCO, Texas – In case you are wondering, before coach Eric Morris and the four Oklahoma State players boarded the jet for Big 12 Football Media Days they were prepped. I can guarantee you that Kevin Klintworth and chief football media relations contact Sean Maguire peppered them all with the questions they were going to get in Frisco. For Morris and especially for quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins that meant the offensive line.

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Mestemaker (left) and Hawkins at the table face the multitude of media at Big 12 Football Media Days in Frisco.

When in doubt or even sometimes when not in doubt, the easy fallback for fans and media is the offensive line. It’s easy to be skeptical and question something you don’t generally understand. With different protections and blocking calls on run plays, it is often confusing to know who is supposed to have who.  If I had a nickel for every time a fan or even a fellow media member got it wrong either in conversation, in asking a question in a press conference, or just bitching on social media or the internet then I’d be vacationing this month in the Carribean.

Last season, the offensive line caught the same blame that Zane Flores and the other quarterbacks, the running backs, and the receivers caught. If you’ve been around me, you know I have no defense for the receivers of last season. They had trouble getting open and when they were, they often dropped the ball. Some of the running backs had no vision and it was obvious. The offensive line, against defenses stacked against the run, blocked in the run game for an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Honestly, that was amazing. They also only allowed 23 sacks, also pretty impressive when you think how the quarterbacks had to hold on to the ball.

Flush last year! If you haven’t already you need to. With Drew Mestemaker working with this new receiver corps that includes speedsters Chris Barnes and Miles Coleman; crafty and athletic former quarterback Wyatt Young, big and fast target Justin Bowick Jr; and MAC dependable pass catchers Israel Polk and Rodney Harris II; the offensive line’s job will be easier.

The same can be said for run blocking for the backs headed by complete running back package in sophomore Caleb Hawkins.

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Center Tyler Mercer (56) blocks for Caleb Hawkins getting the ball on a handoff from Mestemaker.

I watched in the spring as offensive line coach Cody Crill experimented and moved around blockers like Braydon Nelson (6-4, 327), Joseph Hanson (6-4, 302), Johnny Dickson III (6-2, 317), and OU transfer and Edmond Deer Creek native Jacob Sexton (6-6, 328). Now, some others are completely healthy including Michigan State transfer tackle Ashton Lepo (6-7, 320). 

“I think we need to stay healthy at a lot of key positions right now,” Morris said. “When we have Sexton and Lepo out there right now at tackle, those are two bonafide, they have the size and the athleticism to handle everything that is going to be thrown at them,” Morris said. “We have a lot of people that have played a lot of football upfront. How do they adjust to the level of play in the Big 12. Joseph Hanson, for instance, he has started two years (at Coastal Carolina) and a phenomenal player. We have moved him inside to guard and he is getting better and better.”

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Morris talking from the stage at Big 12 Football Media Days.

Morris also mentioned center Tyler Mercer, who played for him at North Texas in 2024 and was at Kansas last season. Two North Texas transfers Braydon Nelson and Dickson. I think Nelson may be the best pure blocker and pass protector of all of them.

When it comes to pass protection, Mestemaker is the guy who’s health is in the hands of the offensive linemen. He agreed with me and his voice and body language was so positive. He likes the offensive line. He’d better.

“One hundred percent, one hundred percent, I agree,” Mestemaker said. “We even had some guys banged up in the spring, so guys were playing where they wouldn’t normally be playing and holding their on. Offensively, as a whole, we are really confident where our offense is right now.”

Last year at North Texas with three of the current Cowboys offensive linemen (Braydon Nelson, Johnny Dickson III, and Desmond Magiya) part of the lineup, Hawkins as a freshman rushed for 1,434 yards, 6-2 yards-per-carry, and 25 touchdowns. This unit will be better, much better, and they have to be because Big 12 defenses will be much better than the American Conference units. 

“I couldn’t agree more, and I think this offensive line is absolutely amazing,” Hawkins said. “There are some small town names in there, but they have played football before. They are not new to this and they have competed at this level, a lot of them. We have some transfers, but we have some big guys that are super competitive and they practice and compete really hard.”

I would throw another name out there for major duty. He looked good in the spring and he was a starter all last season and played well. Jakobe Sanders (6-2, 327) is in the best shape of his college or high school playing career. He is a bull. Please take advantage of his abilities as well. 

Don’t doubt the offensive line. Wait until they give you a reason to. I don’t think that will happen and neither do Mestemaker and Hawkins. Morris too, but as a coach, he has to worry.