The OU offense has had sharp development throughout the offseason, according to redshirt senior quarterback John Mateer, between his individual throwing mechanics, the team’s communication and rushing improvement.
Mateer averaged 304 passing yards through the first four games of the season before hurting his right thumb against Auburn in September. In the first game after injury, former Sooner quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. started in his place before Mateer returned to average 209 passing yards per game for the remainder of the season. Between Mateer’s up-and-down production and a run game that ranked No. 104 in the nation, the Sooners were only the No. 94-ranked offense in the nation in yards per game in 2025.
“It's been a super productive spring ball for me and the whole offense — everybody involved,” Mateer said. “I think the communication has been really good. I was watching some stuff back from last year. And just the comparison, I don't want to relay too much, (but) it's been good.”
Mateer was candid about feeling like last season’s offense was below the standard he and the Sooners expect. He led Washington State to No. 6 in the nation in points per game in 2024, while the Sooners had the No. 1 offense in 2018 and No. 6 in 2019.
However, Mateer feels strongly about the offense’s growth heading into OU's second year with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who was by Mateer’s side for the successful season at Washington State in 2024.
“I'm really proud of him. I'm proud of all of us,” Mateer said. “And obviously, it wasn't super successful. And it sucks, but we've only grown closer together because of it. … And he's better because of it; I'm better because of it.”
Arbuckle has been working on “another evolution” this offseason, according to quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski, who has been with Arbuckle since January 2023. The duo guided the Cougars from No. 38 in points per game in 2023 to No. 6 the following season.
“He's not going to go out there and just run air-raid passes until the cows come home because that's what he started with,” Kuceyeski said on March 28. “Every year I've watched him, he has made it a point in the months of January, February, again in May and June, (to) sit down and have the hard conversations. ‘What's the best scheme for us?’ … This conference (is) going to challenge you every single week, and if you don't evolve, you're going to get your butt kicked. … He does as good as anybody does — proud of him. And we're making another evolution.”
While Arbuckle looks to help the offseason be a prolific, versatile threat, Mateer has worked to improve his throwing mechanics. Mateer side-armed his throws more often in the back half of the season, but he has worked to break the habit in the 2026 offseason and have more over-the-top motion. He has not lost his instincts either.
“The instincts are still there,” Mateer said. “You still play with the instincts, and I don't think I've lost that. I think I'm super hard on myself with the footwork and the arm angle and stuff, and just being innovative in the way I throw is taking different drops and just trying things out.”
Mateer, who rushed for 431 yards and eight touchdowns last season, also said that the run game looks “super promising” this spring.
“Obviously, I enjoy doing it; I'll play a part in it. … But it's been really good, like, super promising, super proud of all the alignment and the running backs, tight ends (and) receivers,” Mateer said. “Perimeter blocking has been better. …
“It’s all leveled up.”
