Since arriving on campus, quarterback John Mateer has emerged as the catalyst in OU’s push to reclaim its place among college football’s powerhouses.
After a disappointing season in 2024, all eyes are on the Washington State transfer as he takes over what was a struggling offense under former QB Jackson Arnold and former OC Seth Littrell.
Being the starting quarterback at OU is not for everyone, but Mateer’s elite athleticism, skill set and swagger provide him with the tools for success.
“I’d like to win a lot of games and do it by playing as hard as I can. I’ll let the legacy happen however it should,” Mateer said. “When you win, good things happen. So, I just want to win a lot of games.”
“I don’t see it as pressure; I see it as an opportunity.”
In his first season as a starter in 2024, Mateer threw for 3,139 passing yards, rushed for 826 yards and racked up 44 total TDs through 12 games. He was the only FBS quarterback last season to pass for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 800 yards.
Last season, OU’s offense ranked 97th in the FBS in points per game (24.0), 114th in yards per game (331) and 119th in passing yards per game (176).
The offensive production fell well short of the standard set from years past, standing out as the main point of emphasis to address in the offseason.
And the Sooners did just that when bringing in Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State.
“He’s a guy that deeply cares…Turned down more money to go elsewhere because of the belief and the vision of the program, certainly a connection to coach Arbuckle,” head coach Brent Venables said of Mateer.
“This is a guy that wants to win at the highest level. He’s a connector, a guy that leads from the front…A great competitor, super athletic, throws the ball really well on the run and makes a lot of good decisions.”
Last season at Washington State, Mateer and Arbuckle’s offense put up 5,757 yards of total offense (442.8 YPG) and 476 total points (36.6 PPG).
After entering the transfer portal in December of 2024, Mateer was ranked as the No. 1 player and deemed one of the most impactful prospects to enter the portal to date.
Being the most sought-after player in the portal meant it wouldn’t be easy to land Mateer. However, bringing in his former offensive coordinator, as well as the prestige of playing for OU and playing in the Southeastern Conference helped cement his decision.
“There was a lot that went into it, but also I know coach (Arbuckle) and it's closer to home. I wanted my family to be closer and be able to get to the games,” Mateer said when asked why he chose OU. “Its also the SEC. I'm here at SEC Media Day, who doesn’t want to play in the SEC? It’s Oklahoma, who doesn’t want to play for Oklahoma?”
Another impactful transfer portal pickup for the Sooners was runningback Jaydn Ott out of Cal. In three seasons at Cal, Ott rushed for 2,587 yards and 24 TDs, adding 739 yards through the air and six receiving TDs.
“I think Jim Nagy knew about him, so there was some type of relationship. I think Jaydn maybe had considered coming out, and Jim had him targeted to be a Senior Bowl type of guy,” Venables said on landing Ott. “When he put himself in the portal, we were able to instantly get a hold of him and start that courtship as well.”
The duo of Ott and Mateer brings versatility to the offense’s ability to attack all aspects of the defense.
Now in his third year in Arbuckle’s system, Mateer is poised to make another leap in production this season.
“Being with (Arbuckle), staying in the same offense and the same coaching…They know me, I know them, and they know what I need to play at the highest level,” Matter said of his experience under Arbuckle.
Mateer’s familiarity with the system not only benefits him, but benefits the rest of the offense, as he’s been able to help coach up others outside of scheduled practices and meetings.
“I’m talking to them a lot about how plays should be ran, having to watch film and see how it should be done,” Mateer said. “I play for them, and they play for me. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
With 45 days until kickoff in Norman, Mateer will continue to lead the Sooners as they prepare for another challenging season in the SEC.
This story was edited by Parker Coyne.
