The Oklahoma Sooners are stepping into a new era, a new conference, and a new identity—but their first season in the SEC was a disaster. A program that once demanded respect now found itself struggling, not just on the field but also in recruiting battles. A subpar record wasn’t just a stain on their legacy—it became a warning sign for future talent.
And the fallout? A mass exodus.
A staggering 29 players bolted from Norman, leaving head coach Brent Venables scrambling to rebuild. He fought back, landing 15 transfers, but one name stands out among them all:
John Mateer.
The former Washington State gunslinger wasn’t just another addition—he was Venables’ Hail Mary, the quarterback who could change everything. After years of backing up Heisman finalist Cam Ward, Mateer finally gets his shot. The Sooners desperately need a strong leader under center, and Mateer’s arrival has set off a tidal wave of debate.
Will he be the savior Oklahoma needs? Or will the ghosts of last season haunt him, exposing the cracks in his game under the unforgiving SEC spotlight?
From Backup to Big Time: Is John Mateer Ready for the Pressure?
Mateer waited for his moment at Washington State, spending two seasons in the shadow of Cam Ward before finally getting his turn. And when he did?
He lit up the stat sheet.
- 3,139 passing yards
- 29 touchdowns
- A solid 64% completion rate
Yet, despite these numbers, not everyone is sold on his ability to elevate Oklahoma—especially against the SEC’s relentless defenses and brutal pass rushers.
But there’s hope. Venables didn’t just bring in Mateer—he also hired Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator. The same Arbuckle who helped shape Cam Ward into a Heisman finalist. The same Arbuckle who knows exactly how to maximize Mateer’s skill set.
This isn’t just a quarterback change. This is a full-blown offensive overhaul.
And if you ask national analysts Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman, they’ll tell you Oklahoma’s fortunes are about to change.
National Analysts Sound Off: John Mateer, a Future Heisman Contender?
While skepticism surrounds Oklahoma’s rocky transition to the SEC, analysts Staples and Wasserman see a breakout coming.
Ari Wasserman, discussing his list of top 10 teams primed for a resurgence, had a moment of realization.
“OU is a team that probably should have been on that list because I actually think that OU is going to have a very, very good year,” he admitted. “They have a chance with John Mateer and [Ben] Arbuckle.”
Andy Staples took it even further:
“Whoever got John Mateer was going to be really good on offense,” he claimed.
Then, Wasserman dropped a bombshell prediction—one that sent shockwaves through the Sooners fanbase.
“John Mateer might be somebody who’s in New York next year. That’s where we’re at with him.”
That’s right. He’s talking Heisman contention.
It’s a bold claim, especially when Oklahoma just suffered through one of the worst passing offenses in the SEC. But if Staples and Wasserman are right, Mateer isn’t just a good pickup—he’s a game-changer.
The Doubters Speak: Can Mateer Handle SEC Defenses?
Not everyone is buying into the John Mateer hype train.
Oklahoma insider John Williams voiced serious concerns on the Locked On Sooners podcast. His biggest issue? Mateer’s inconsistency.
“John Mateer has to be the John Mateer we saw last year for Washington State. Actually, he’s got to be better. He’s got to be more consistent,” Williams warned.
And the stats don’t lie.
- Mateer’s 64% completion rate is solid, but not spectacular.
- He had games where he struggled badly, delivering low-percentage passing performances.
- The SEC is a different beast—facing elite secondaries and relentless pressure every week.
“If you’re going to be the quarterback at Oklahoma,” Williams continued, “if you’re going to lead Oklahoma back to the playoffs, back into title contention, you cannot afford to have some of these passing performances that John Mateer had against some of the defenses Oklahoma will play.”
It’s a fair point. The Sooners aren’t just chasing improvement—they’re chasing redemption.
After losing their bowl game to a service academy, expecting a national title push in Year 1 with Mateer might be wishful thinking. But a 10-win season? That’s realistic. That’s attainable.
And if Mateer proves the doubters wrong? The sky’s the limit.
Oklahoma Football: Too Big to Fail?
The Sooners have never been an afterthought in college football. They won’t start now.
Yes, the realignment hurt them. Yes, the mass exodus raised alarms. But this is still a blueblood program—one that refuses to stay down for long.
John Mateer is now the face of Oklahoma’s resurgence.
- Can he rise to the challenge?
- Can he survive the SEC gauntlet?
- Can he turn doubt into dominance?
The answers will come soon enough.
But one thing is clear—Oklahoma’s future now rests in the hands of a quarterback who was once a backup, a player who now has the chance to be a legend.
The question is: Will he seize it?
