Oklahoma needed a solution at quarterback for the upcoming 2025 season after former five-star Jackson Arnold transferred to Auburn. However, the Sooners believe they may have landed an even better replacement in Washington State transfer, John Mateer, who was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback behind Miami’s Carson Beck and the No. 5 overall transfer in the winter portal cycle.
The addition of Mateer has reinvigorated the hope and optimism surrounding the Oklahoma Sooners, as many of their problems last season were attributed to the quarterback position.
Oklahoma QB John Mateer Draws Major Praise Ahead of 2025 Season
Mateer’s arrival in Oklahoma has raised hopes and expectations. CFB insider, J.D. Pickell, has also added fuel to the fire by comparing Mateer to Jackson Arnold, who was the signal-caller for Oklahoma last year.
“I’m pro Jackson Arnold, I think he can have a lot of success at Auburn, but I think that John Mateer and what he’s going to do this coming season is a vastly different story”, Pickell said.
“When you think about what John Mateer is relative to what Jackson Arnold was, the references you check for John Mateer are very very different to the references you check for Jackson Arnold cause you saw him (Jackson Arnold) in a bowl game not look awesome, there were flashes, there were things that I took away that I see what could be.”
“But there was a lot of turnovers in that bowl game against Arizona, that was really the sample size you could go with outside of garbage time… there’s actually real college football game that you can go and watch that John Mateer starred real productively a year ago”
Last season, his first starter, Mateer, emerged as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, finishing 10th in total yards. He recorded 3,965 yards and 44 total touchdowns. In comparison, Oklahoma’s entire offense produced just 38 touchdowns in 2024 and ranked 97th nationally, scoring at 24 points per game.
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If the buzz from spring practice is any indication, Mateer could be exactly what the Sooners need. The Sooners finished with a 6-7 record last year, and Mateer’s experience and reported leadership give the Sooners a chance to see a significant jump in that record this year.
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