John Mateer Faces High Expectations as Oklahoma’s New QB in the SEC
The Oklahoma Sooners had a disappointing 2024 season, marked by an uninspired offense and key losses in the transfer portal. However, the 2025 season brings renewed hope, with Ben Arbuckle taking charge of the offense and John Mateer stepping in as the starting quarterback. While some players make an immediate impact and others take a full season to develop, there are rare cases where an athlete blossoms over three years—and Mateer appears to be one of them.
A Journey from Overlooked Prospect to SEC Starter
Mateer’s football journey began quietly at Washington State, where he arrived with little fanfare. Even his former head coach, Jake Dickert, had reservations about bringing him in. However, then-offensive coordinator Eric Morris saw potential in him and pushed for his recruitment. Now, Mateer is making a significant leap from a Group of Five (G5) program to one of the toughest conferences in college football—the SEC—where expectations are sky-high.
An Oklahoma football insider recently emphasized the pressure on Mateer, stating that he is on a short timeline with little room for error. According to the insider, Mateer must not only replicate his performances at Washington State but also elevate his game significantly. His passing ability, in particular, must improve. While he showed flashes of brilliance last season, there were also instances where his accuracy faltered. Some of his passing performances fell well below the standard required for a quarterback leading a top-tier program like Oklahoma.
Evaluating Mateer’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Mateer’s statistics from his time at Washington State suggest that he has the ability to succeed but must refine his game. In 2024, he threw for 3,139 yards, a solid number, but it has not silenced the skepticism surrounding his transition to the SEC. His inconsistency is a concern—he had a particularly rough outing against Texas Tech, completing only 9 of 19 passes (47.4%). However, he compensated for his struggles through his rushing ability, accumulating 197 yards on the ground in that game.
On the other hand, he showed improvement in his efficiency against Wyoming, completing 16 of 22 passes (72.7%). However, that performance came with a modest 182 passing yards. While his accuracy was better, his ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays remained in question. He also added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown in that game but threw an interception in a losing effort.
The challenge now is whether Mateer can take his game to the next level. The SEC is a brutal conference where quarterbacks must be both precise and resilient. To lead Oklahoma back to national relevance, Mateer must demonstrate not only his physical skills but also his ability to consistently deliver under pressure.
A High-Stakes Transition for Oklahoma’s New Leader
Oklahoma’s quarterback situation has been closely scrutinized, particularly because Mateer is stepping into a role previously expected to belong to Jackson Arnold. Arnold, a five-star recruit, was supposed to be the Sooners’ future but has since transferred to Auburn. Now, Mateer has the opportunity to lead Oklahoma into its SEC era, but fans are looking for more than just talent—they want a leader who can elevate the program.
A football analyst recently described Mateer as one of the biggest wild cards among quarterbacks making a transition this season. The move from a Mountain West-style schedule to the SEC represents a significant leap in competition. While Mateer has the potential to succeed, the challenge will be adjusting to the speed and physicality of the SEC while improving his passing consistency.
The analyst also pointed out the stark difference in strength of schedule between the two programs—Oklahoma ranked 6th in 2024, while Washington State was far behind at 90th. This means Mateer will be facing defenses at an entirely different level than those he previously encountered.
Is Mateer the Right Choice?
Despite the questions surrounding Mateer’s transition, some believe he is the best option for Oklahoma right now. One expert noted that if the question had been asked a year earlier, the answer might have been different. However, given Mateer’s familiarity with Arbuckle’s system and his experience, he appears to be the most viable option for the Sooners at this moment.
Still, while Mateer may be the best option on paper, he must prove himself on the field. The SEC is known for exposing weaknesses, and if he does not improve his passing game, Oklahoma could struggle against elite competition.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Mateer. If he can rise to the occasion, he has the potential to not only survive but thrive in Norman. However, if he falters, Oklahoma’s search for a true leader at quarterback will continue. The pressure is immense, and the Sooners’ success may very well hinge on whether Mateer can handle the demands of SEC football.