Sports Illustrated ranked John Mateer 21st among Power Four starting quarterbacks, but many in the Oklahoma Sooners camp believe he's the man to lead them to a championship.
The Sooners are counting on Mateer to be their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, a decision that has been met with both optimism and skepticism. With Mateer returning to Oklahoma, the Sooners will have a starting quarterback finish his career as a Sooner for the first time since 2019.
Mateer, a redshirt-senior, has a lot of college football experience, which could be a major factor in the Sooners' decision to keep him. According to Sports Illustrated, Mateer was ranked 21st on their list of projected starting quarterbacks in the Power Four conferences.
The jump to the SEC was a wake-up call for Mateer, especially after he injured his throwing hand against Auburn in late September. He noticeably played worse down following the injury, but he did manage to beat Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri in three straight games to kick off November. The blueprint for that was relying more heavily on Mateer's running (14.67 carries to 27.3 passes per game during that stretch as opposed 11.67 carries to 35 passes per game in his other nine starts). That sort of game script favors leaning on the Sooners' stout defense.
Mateer has repeatedly said that the opportunity to be the starting quarterback at OU was the prevailing reason why he ended up in Norman. The Sooners' head coach, Brent Venables, and general manager, Jim Nagy, have also expressed confidence in Mateer, saying that they believe they can win a championship with him.
Oklahoma's decision to keep Mateer is a departure from recent years, when the team has often opted to push their starting quarterbacks out to pursue another quarterback and give them the keys. This approach has led to some successful seasons, including the 2023 season when the Sooners fielded their best offense under coach Venables.
The return of Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who hand-picked Mateer to be his first starting quarterback in Norman, is a major factor in the Sooners' decision to keep Mateer. Arbuckle and Mateer have a long history together, having come over from Washington State.
With Mateer at the helm, the Sooners are hoping to translate their stability into a more potent offense this fall. However, the road to a championship will be tough, and many are questioning whether Mateer is the right man for the job.
The Oklahoma Sooners will open their 2026 season against a yet-to-be-determined opponent, with the conference schedule to be announced later this summer.
Source: Yahoo Sports