John Mateer came back to Oklahoma for his redshirt senior campaign in 2026, making him the first starting quarterback since 2019 to complete his college career in Norman. With the Sooners having wrapped up last season at 10-3, expectations for this year are already running high.
John Mateer Earns High Praise from New Oklahoma Coach
As Oklahoma heads into spring football, coaches and players met with reporters on Monday, and John Mateer’s name came up repeatedly.
The Sooners added former Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten as their tight ends coach this offseason, signing him to a two-year deal worth $675,000 annually. Just a few days into his tenure, Witten is already impressed with Mateer.
“I think just his overall demeanor, I’ve been really impressed with,” Witten said. “I would say is every great player has a self‑confidence to be self‑critical, and I really think, in that short time of looking at him, he’s looked back, and there’s plenty of things you could say, the injury, switching schools, new guys, all these things you could make excuses about, and everything I’ve heard from him is just ownership of areas that I can be better and what I’m going to improve on.
“I think when your quarterback does that, when one of your best players does that, it kind of sets the tone for your program. So I’ve been really impressed with how he’s gone about that.”
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Mateer had a strong start last season but cooled off after thumb surgery four games in, as he finished the year ranked No. 72 nationally in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric with a 78.6 score. ESPN’s Bill Connelly projects him as the 19th-ranked starter among 68 Power Four quarterbacks in 2026.
Head coach Brent Venables said that Mateer has focused on self-improvement this offseason, particularly in understanding and reading defenses. Venables said they review frequently, and Mateer has been working on anticipation and decision-making.
Mateer’s influence extends beyond his own growth, as former Kent State and Virginia wide receiver Trell Harris credited Mateer as a major reason he chose Oklahoma.
“When you turn on his tape, it just speaks for itself; it’s exciting to watch,” Harris said on Monday. “I felt like I could enhance the way he plays, and he could enhance the way I play.”
Even former Arkansas offensive tackle E’Marion Harris also cited Mateer as a key factor in his decision to join the Sooners. These comments prove Mateer’s leadership and the strong bonds he has built within the locker room.
