Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer enters his second season under center for the Sooners. Mateer led Oklahoma to a 4-0 start in the 2025 season before a hand injury forced him to miss a game.
Mateer’s production declined after his return. Once a contender for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, he fell out of the race as the Sooners struggled offensively.
Oklahoma QB John Mateer Discusses His Throwing Mechanics
During the offseason, Mateer said he was refining his throwing mechanics and footwork in the pocket during spring training, drawing mixed responses from fans and analysts.
While speaking to reporters after Monday’s spring practice, Mateer addressed the criticism regarding his mechanics.
“I think I probably caused that a little bit, by just how I put it and phrased it,” Mateer said. “So, whatever, I said it. So, if I said it, everybody’s gonna latch on to it. But I do believe in it, but I don’t think it’s life and death like everybody is saying. I know how to throw a football and it’s just about getting better every year, you get a year better. That’s all it is.”
Mateer led college football with 44 total touchdowns in 2024 during his first season as a starter for the Washington State Cougars before entering the transfer portal and joining head coach Brent Venables at Oklahoma.
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Following his hand surgery, Mateer led the Sooners to a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa and a 10-3 overall record. This included a College Football Playoff appearance, where Oklahoma lost to Alabama in the first round.
While Mateer is adjusting his throwing motion from sidearm to over the top, he stated he has maintained his playmaking instincts.
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“You go into spring ball and super focused on details, technicality and stuff, but at a certain point you play football,” Mateer said. “You can’t go in there and be too critical, because you need to play ball. You still play with the instincts, and I don’t think I’ve lost that. I think I’m super hard on myself with the footwork and arm angle and stuff and just being innovative in the way I throw.”
Mateer finished the season with 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while adding 431 rushing yards and eight scores to earn a PFSN College QB Impact score of 78.6.
