Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer experienced an inconsistent debut season in 2025. However, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding what he could accomplish in his second year with the program as the Sooners prepare for the 2026 campaign.
Why Was John Mateer Called Out Ahead of the 2026 Season?
During an appearance on “That SEC Podcast,” football analyst and “3 Man Front” host Pat Smith shared his thoughts on which SEC teams could disappoint in the 2026 season. Smith mentioned both Texas A&M and Oklahoma, while specifically questioning the hype surrounding Mateer.
“I would say (Texas A&M), and Oklahoma are very close because of the whole Mateer thing last year,” Smith said. “Incredible quarterback, but I know he got injured. Was that the reason why that team faded? Is that the reason why he made tremendously bad decisions?
“The pick-six he had in the Alabama game at the end of the playoff was bad. So for me, those two teams are going to get a lot of hype for the college football playoff, potentially, Mateer probably for the Heisman. So I could see those two teams being two on the outside looking in when we get towards November.”
Mateer threw for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns across 12 games last season. He burst onto the scene in Oklahoma’s opener against Illinois State, completing 30 of 37 passes for 392 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding a rushing score. His 89% completion percentage marked the best debut performance by an Oklahoma quarterback with at least 30 attempts.
Mateer continued his excellence, leading Oklahoma to a 4-0 record. After the win over Auburn, he was even seen as an early Heisman favorite following a performance that included 271 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and another score on the ground.
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However, Mateer suffered a thumb injury and struggled during the final stretch of the season. He did not throw for more than 250 yards again until the last two games of the year: a 17-13 win over LSU and a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff. He wrapped up the season with a 78.6 grade in PFSN College Football QB Impact metric, which ranked No. 72 nationally.
As Mateer enters his second season with Oklahoma, he was listed by ESPN as one of the 10 early candidates to win the Heisman, coming in at No. 8 overall. However, several analysts continue to point toward his turnover-worthy throws and inconsistent completion percentage as areas that must improve. After throwing 11 interceptions last season, reducing mistakes and improving his touchdown-to-interception ratio will be a major focus moving forward.
