After a 12-win season and a coaching change, the University of North Texas faced the challenge of replacing standout freshman Drew Mestemaker. Responding boldly, the Mean Green targeted the transfer portal to find a solution. Today, they landed a player they believe is key to continued success.
North Texas Lands Former ECU QB Chaston Ditta To Replace Drew Mestemaker
Ditta entered the transfer portal with four years of eligibility. In four games, he completed 50% of his passes for 215 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He led East Carolina to a 23-17 win in the Military Bowl over Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Neal Brown, who was recently an assistant at Texas, takes over from Eric Morris, who has become the head coach at Oklahoma State.
In West Virginia, Brown’s quarterback decisions created instability, leading to skepticism from fans. Now, with a quarterback like Ditta, who arrives at North Texas as a blank slate and fills an urgent need, Brown has an opportunity to restore trust and turn the program around.
On film, the freshman is identified as a risk-taker. He stands confidently in the pocket and is willing to deliver the ball under pressure. Additionally, he shows a clear preference for throwing the ball downfield. While this may initially contrast with Brown’s approach, it is expected that they will reach a productive balance. Either way, a bowl game is the bare minimum for North Texas. Yet, they will have designs on the conference championship.
North Texas faces a changed American Conference this year. Tulane lost head coach Jon Sumrall to Florida, and Memphis lost Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas. As a result, the conference appears more open. Ditta will join a North Texas locker room with more roster turnover than last year.
Only Jayden Becks remains in the backfield from last year. With five transfers, North Texas is thin, but Brown will craft a running game. Meanwhile, senior Cameron Dorner leads a mostly underclassman receiver group eager to improve. In a way, Ditta will have one year of a veteran wideout while growing with the others.
If Ditta is to lead North Texas, Brown must make a decision quickly and communicate his plan. Should he want competition, that should be clear as well. North Texas has little outside expectation despite last season’s success, so they can progress under the radar.
However, they must win the games they’re favored in, especially after losing many players to the transfer portal and seeing Mestemaker, a top-rated QB, depart. He occupied the No.20 spot in PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Rankings. The challenge for Ditta is to fill that significant gap as the new era begins.
