The Oklahoma Sooners kick off the 2025 season against the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday evening. After a disappointing season in 2024, OU will look to be one of college football’s most improved teams this year.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism in Norman this season is the addition of new starting quarterback John Mateer. He makes the leap to the SEC, along with new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle, from Washington State.
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Mateer showed out in 2024 as the Cougars’ starter. He led the FBS in touchdowns responsible for during the regular season (44), and he posted the best rushing season for a WSU quarterback — 826 yards, 15 touchdowns — along with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns on 64.6% completions.
Mateer showed off a willingness to run (178 attempts in 2024) and a fearlessness that caught the eye from opposing coaches this offseason, as he’s set to take the reins under center for one of college football’s premier brands.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg compiled intel from opposing coaches about some of the sport’s most noticeable quarterbacks. Among SEC signal-callers, Mateer joined LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Florida’s DJ Lagway, Texas’ Arch Manning, and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed.
He’s a triple threat. He can throw it, he can scramble, and they can call runs for him. Those kinds of guys are the ones hard to defend. Very fearless. He’s got all the moxie and the intangibles to go with it. – An SEC defensive coordinator on John Mateer via ESPN
Mateer’s ability has been widely discussed. His 44 total touchdowns led the FBS last season. He’s able to make plays even when things break down in protection.
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While a different SEC defensive coordinator questioned Mateer’s size, and how his body would hold up while taking a high volume of hits in conference play, a coach that faced him in 2024 thinks he can make the Sooners a much-improved team in 2025.
He’s going to be one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC. If he can stay healthy — because they run him like a running back — they’ll be a much better team. He’s the type of guy who can change your whole culture.” – A coach who faced him last year on Mateer via ESPN
Mateer’s addition to the roster was the biggest player acquisition that fourth-year head coach Brent Venables made this offseason. A few months later, and Mateer is the most important player for the Sooners in an extremely pivotal season for the program’s present and future.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: What did opposing coaches had to say about Oklahoma QB John Mateer?
