(Photo credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images)

North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who leads FBS with 4.379 passing yards and 34 passing touchdowns this season, announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday.

Mestemaker, who was an unranked recruit out of Austin, Texas in the 2024 class, had a breakout redshirt freshman season after playing sparingly as a true freshman. He was named the American Conference Offensive Player of the year and led the Mean Green (12-2) to a program-record win total, three more games than the program had ever won in a season.

'After much thought and prayer, I've made the decision to enter my name into the transfer portal,' Mestemaker said in a post on his X account. 'This was not an easy choice. My time at North Texas has meant more to me than I can ever fully express. North Texas was the only school that believed in me enough to give me an opportunity as a walk-on when others didn't, and for that, this place will always hold a special place in my heart.'

Mestemaker had previously said he would announce his decision after North Texas' New Mexico Bowl clash vs. San Diego State, which the Mean Green won 49-47 on Saturday.

Mestemaker's 4,379 yards were the second-most by a freshman in FBS history behind only Ohio State's C.J. Stroud (4,435 in 2021). He set a program record with 608 passing yards along with four touchdowns in a 54-20 win over Charlotte on Oct. 24.

Mestemaker immediately becomes one of the top quarterbacks in this year's transfer portal, joining the likes of Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby, Arizona State's Sam Leavitt and Florida's DJ Lagway.

It's the latest blow in what have been a rough few days for the Mean Green under new coach Neal Brown. Running back Caleb Hawkins, who set a national freshman record with 29 total touchdowns this season, and receiver Wyatt Young, who was third nationally with 1,264 receiving yards, both announced their intentions to enter the portal on Sunday.

It remains to be seen if any of the trio will follow former North Texas coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State or if they'll be open to other options.

--Field Level Media