Oklahoma State Adds North Texas Star Wyatt Young in Transfer Portal

Oklahoma State is entering a new era after a 1-11 season—the program’s worst since 1991—which led to the firing of Mike Gundy. The Cowboys have since hired North Texas head coach Eric Morris, who now faces the task of rebuilding a roster capable of competing in the Big 12.

A major part of Morris’ strategy involves the College Football Transfer Portal. He has already brought in several players from his former North Texas roster, and on Sunday, ESPN-reported sources confirmed that star wide receiver Wyatt Young has committed to Stillwater.

Young comes off a standout 2025 season for the Mean Green, recording 70 receptions for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. He still has two years of eligibility remaining, making him a potential immediate contributor to Morris’ offense.

Earlier in his career at North Texas, Young totaled 18 receptions for 295 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, showing steady development and an ability to grow into a primary target. His arrival gives the Cowboys a proven playmaker at a position that has struggled to produce consistency in recent seasons.

1. North Texas Connections

Morris has leaned heavily on familiar faces from his North Texas program in building Oklahoma State’s roster. In addition to Young, former North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker is also transferring to Stillwater. Mestemaker threw for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season while adding five rushing scores, giving Morris a quarterback-receiver duo already built on chemistry. Young will not be the only target for Mestemaker; wideout Miles Coleman, who ranked third on North Texas with 550 receiving yards and two touchdowns, is expected to join the group in Oklahoma State’s receiving corps. This continuity in skill positions could help accelerate the offense’s development under Morris’ system. The running game will also feature familiar talent. Caleb Hawkins, a North Texas running back who rushed for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025, is following Morris to Oklahoma State. His addition provides a proven ground threat and strengthens the offense’s balance. Alongside two offensive linemen and a defensive back from North Texas, Morris has now brought seven former players with him, signaling a clear strategy to replicate the successful elements of his previous roster.

2. Portal Impact

Oklahoma State’s aggressive use of the transfer portal has made it one of the nation’s top destinations for incoming talent. According to 247Sports, the Cowboys rank second among FBS programs in players added via the portal, trailing only Penn State, which is also seeing a new coach bring in former players. Morris’ strategy provides immediate impact in areas that struggled last season. Young and Mestemaker give the Cowboys a ready-made passing attack, while Hawkins strengthens a running game that struggled in 2025. These additions could help stabilize Oklahoma State’s offense as the program transitions to a new coaching staff. North Texas still has multiple players in the portal, creating the possibility of additional reunions in Stillwater. Morris’ track record of bringing trusted talent from his previous program suggests that more familiar faces could soon follow, further accelerating his rebuild. The infusion of proven skill-position players, combined with incoming linemen and defensive talent, gives Oklahoma State a head start in reshaping the roster for a competitive Big 12 campaign in 2026.

3. Looking Ahead

With these transfers in place, Oklahoma State enters the 2026 season with a foundation of players who understand Morris’ system. The continuity between quarterback and receivers, along with an experienced running back, provides a rare advantage for a first-year head coach. The Cowboys’ offensive identity will be heavily influenced by these North Texas transfers, as Morris can lean on players who have already learned his playbook and approach. This could translate into quicker cohesion and improved on-field performance. Defensively, the addition of portal talent provides depth and flexibility, allowing Oklahoma State to focus on developing younger players while maintaining competitive rotations. Morris’ transfer strategy positions the program to avoid the growing pains typical of a coaching transition. Ultimately, Oklahoma State’s success in the portal highlights a trend in college football: programs led by coaches who can bring trusted talent from previous stops have a significant advantage in rebuilding and immediate competitiveness.