Loyalty Over Luxury: Oklahoma’s John Mateer Turns Down $4.5M Georgia NIL Deal in Stunning Show of Commitment
In an era where college athletes are increasingly chasing the biggest bag, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer just made one of the most shocking moves of the NIL era—by not taking the money.
Multiple sources confirmed Monday that Mateer declined a staggering $4.5 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer from the University of Georgia to succeed outgoing starter Carson Beck. The jaw-dropping figure would have placed him among the highest-paid players in college football.
Instead, Mateer, who secured a substantial $2.1 million NIL package in December with Oklahoma, opted to stay loyal to the Sooners and head coach Brent Venables—a rare stance in today’s fast-shifting collegiate landscape.
Insiders close to the situation say the 6’3″ rising junior was “deeply flattered” by the Georgia pitch, but ultimately valued continuity, team chemistry, and his role as a leader in Norman more than the extra dollars.
The decision comes at a time when NIL free agency is running rampant, with top-tier programs offering NFL-like money to lure away talent.
“Mateer’s decision is unheard of in this climate,” said one Power Five executive. “Turning down $4.5 million? That’s not just loyalty. That’s legacy thinking.”
Oklahoma fans, stunned but proud, now see Mateer not just as a QB1—but as a symbol of commitment and character in a college football world often defined by the highest bidder.
With the Sooners entering their first season in the SEC, the stakes—and the headlines—just got a whole lot bigger.
