Ben Arbuckle had a challenge for redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer this summer: Go make the team your own.
Arbuckle and his quarterback transferred to OU from Washington State in the offseason in an attempt to rebuild the Sooner offense after a 6-7 season in 2024. Upon joining the Sooners, Mateer has become more interactive and developed into a vocal leader on an offense searching for a spark.
“When we’re out there in summer, if someone does something that’s not up to our standard, he lets them know about it,” Arbuckle told local media on Wednesday. “His biggest point of growth was making this team his own.”
Arbuckle also noted that he and Mateer have been in the film room throughout the summer studying film of NFL quarterbacks and seeing what they do. If Mateer has the year many hope he will, he might only be spending one season in Norman.
Another piece of the puzzle who could be the x-factor for the OU offense is senior running back Jaydn Ott. Ott transferred from Cal in the spring and was recently named to the Maxwell Award watch list --given to the most outstanding player in the country -- alongside Mateer. Ott joins a running back room filled with experience and young talent and offers explosiveness OU has not had in the last few years.
Ott is familiar with Arbuckle and his scheme from when they were matched up in the old Pac-12 in 2023. Ott had 27 carries for 167 yards and a touchdown against Washington State.
“I played against Arbuckle at (Washington State) when I was at Cal. I was just familiar with what he has going on, so I thought it was a good place,” Ott said.
But even if Mateer and Ott each live up to the hype and elevate the OU offense, the team could be in for another rollercoaster of a season if the offensive line doesn’t hold its weight.
A year ago, the group suffered a plethora of injuries and never gelled throughout the season. It ultimately forced the Sooners to start eight different offensive line units within the team’s first nine games.
It resulted in the Sooners bringing in five true freshmen and three transfers on the offensive line this offseason. Arbuckle’s early reviews of the offensive line project positivity as fall camp begins on Thursday.
“The offensive line watched more film together this summer than probably any position group in the building,” Arbuckle said. “... I’m excited going into fall camp about that group.”
Position battles
There’s still a variety of unknowns heading into fall camp about who will step up and see the majority of snaps for the Sooners.
Head coach Brent Venables mentions competition existing throughout multiple position groups and doesn’t want players getting too comfortable.
“Everybody should want to be the first guy running out and then fight like hell if they’re not,” Venables said. “I really like the competition.”
Venables noted spots will be up for grabs at every position on defense – especially cornerback.
“That’s a group that has really good talent,” Venables said of the cornerback room. “Now, we need to show that we can be really good players within our schemes as well.”
Arbuckle also touched on the tight ends and the running backs as open spots. However, senior tight end Jaren Kanak and redshirt junior tight end Kaden Helms have impressed Arbuckle early on. Kanak, in particular, converted to tight end from linebacker in the offseason and has been a constant inside the building.
With the room lacking talent or depth, Kanak will have his opportunity to show what he can bring to the offense.
“He’s put in the work to go out there and definitely earned himself a spot playing on Saturdays,” Arbuckle said of Kanak. “I’m excited to watch him go through fall camp and continue building on it because he’s an unbelievable athlete.”
Injury updates
The injury bug hit Norman often a season ago and ultimately contributed to the Sooners having the season they had.
With fall camp beginning Thursday, Venables said sophomore cornerback Eli Bowen will not be available for the start of the period, and redshirt junior wide receiver Javonnie Gibson is “on the same time schedule” after suffering an injury in the spring.
In November, OU had 15 players on the availability report for its regular-season ending loss at LSU.
Improved play on both sides of the ball during the offseason is one thing, but if OU doesn’t remain relatively healthy throughout the year, the direction of the season could be extremely blurry.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.
